Responsive AUV Localization and Mapping Project Ron Lewis, Project Manager June 14 th, 2012
Project Overview Project duration: Approximately 5 Years June 1, 2010 to March 31, 2015 Primary objectives: Develop enhanced AUV navigational technologies Develop the Memorial Explorer AUV into a commercial seabed survey asset AUV technology demonstration of a novel sonar system Secondary objective: Development of AUV risk mitigation and AUV operational technologies
Project Team Principal Investigator: Dr. Andrew Vardy Department of Computer Science/ Faculty of Engineering Faculty Participants: Dr. Rodolphe Devillers Department of Geography/ Department of Earth Sciences Dr. James Munroe Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography Other Key Participants: 3 full time equivalent (FTE) staff 1 work term (FTE) 4 graduate students (1 PhD, 3 Masters)
MERLIN: Marine Environmental Research Lab for INtelligent vehicles Node within the Core Research Equipment and Instrument Training (CREAIT) Network physically based in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Operating the Memorial Explorer and a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) since 2006 for both research and commercial interests. Staff continuity resulting in expertise development and a capability to undertake both operational and R&D initiatives. Possible by virtue of the local support in the institution and community.
Financial Budget: $ 3,232,289.00 Key Financial Supporters & Private Sector Partners: Memorial University: CREAIT Network, Marine Institute Fugro Geosurveys Inc., PanGeo Subsea Inc. International Submarine Engineering Ltd., Defence Research and Development Canada Atlantic University of Tasmania Australian Maritime College, French Research Institute for the Exploration of the Sea Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Research and Development Corporation
Project Structure
Major Activity One: Commercial Survey Capable AUV Integration of a sonar system payload: Multibeam echosounder (R2Sonics 2024-0.5 x 1 deg. res.) Side scan sonar (Edgetech 2200-M, 120/410 khz) Sub-bottom profiler (Edgetech 2200-M, 1-10 khz) Inertial navigation unit (Ixsea PHINS) Integration is ongoing Technical challenges include acoustic synchronization, interface development and physical configuration within the AUV Trials scheduled in July, October 2012 Full system readiness early 2013
Major Activity Two: Development of Improved Navigation and Mission Capabilities Advanced navigation technology incorporating real time sonar system inputs to drive the AUV s navigation Qualitative Navigation (QNav) Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)/Adaptive Mission Control Concurrent Mapping and Localization (CML) Prototype QNav to be deployed during July trials ATR developed, being modified for AUV implementation CML in preliminary stages of development
Major Activity Three: System Acceptance and Validation Extensive trialing of newly developed navigation to validate performance and commercialize the technology Includes surveys (scientific and commercial)
Major Activity Four: Risk Mitigation Improved AUV acoustic communication and asset tracking AUV Emergency localization system Mobile remote console unit ruggedized for harsh environment and polar operation Autonomous under ice return
Major Activity Five: Sub-bottom Imager Integration and Field Testing Integration of a novel sonar system payload comprised of large acoustic receiving array Challenges include: Array size Operational specifications: altitude and speed Full scale controlled environment testing MI Flume Tank Dec/11 Full scale sea trials Holyrood Marine Base Apr/12
Progress to date Project completion is approximately 45%: MA 1 completion Fall 12 MA 2 trialing of two technologies Fall 12 MA 3, MA 4 ongoing MA 5 completion Winter 12/13 Major purchasing phase completed (INU, MBES, SSS, SBP) Overall budget expenditures to date: approximately 40% Significant results: Two invention disclosures submitted to Genesis Four journal/conference publications One masters thesis Nine students (graduate, international graduate intern, engineering co-op, ocean tech work term)
Commercial Applications MA 1 outcome 3000m depth rated seabed survey AUV commercialized with Fugro Geosurveys. Potential applications include: Seabed mapping Subsea infrastructure monitoring and inspection Polar environment operations Environmental monitoring Offshore resource exploration Offshore resource management MA 2, MA 4 outcomes new AUV technologies to be commercialized through AUV manufacturer, International Submarine Engineering. MA 5 new and unique AUV sub-bottom surveying capability to be commercialize via sonar manufacturer, PanGeo Subsea.
Summary The REALM project is a 5 year, $3.2 million project to: Develop next generation AUV navigation technologies suitable for commercial release the only domestically available deepwater AUV capable of seabed survey; Improve the capacity of the Memorial Explorer AUV and develop a local capability to undertake commercial quality seabed survey using AUV technology Create a series of products to mitigate AUV operational risk and improve AUV operations Develop a globally unique AUV subbottom survey capability utilizing a novel sonar system payload
Contact Information: Project Manager: Ron Lewis Email: ron@mun.ca Tel: 864-4590 Website: http://www.mun.ca/research/ocp/mrp/realm/index.php
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