iXBlue offers new inertial positioning systems for offshore, ROVs

iXBlue — a subsea navigation, positioning and imaging systems company — is offering two new positioning sensors.

Fifth-generation Octans

iXBlue is offering its customers the opportunity to upgrade their fourth-generation Octans positioning reference system to the fifth-generation system. The fourth-generation Octans was manufactured beginning in January 2014.

Built on iXBlue’s high-performance fiber-optic gyroscope technology, the Octans is an all-in-one gyro compass and motion sensor (attitude and heading reference system) with features such as IMO/IMO-HSC certification. The upgraded system provides extremely accurate real-time output for roll, pitch, heading and heave, as well as acceleration and rate of turns under challenging GNSS-denied environment.

Heading measurement accuracy has been doubled over the fourth-generation Octans: with still 0.1° Seclat in stand-alone, the system can now provide 0.05° Seclat with GNSS.

Moreover, the fifth-generation Octans now offers the ability to align on transit and the extended capability to deliver, in real time, accurate heave for swells up to 30 seconds.

The offer from iXBlue includes both the upgrade and calibration, backed by a five-year warranty.

Rovins Nano for remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs)

iXBlue has also launched a new inertial navigation system for the offshore industry, the Rovins Nano.

Based on iXBlue’s fiber-optic gyroscope technology, the Rovins Nano has been designed for ROV pilots performing maintenance and construction operations. It offers the stability and accuracy of the inertial position, outputting true north, roll, pitch and rotation rates.

“Rovins Nano is able to directly transmit the ROV’s position with extreme accuracy thanks to its integrated INS algorithm capable of collecting acoustic data,” said Paul Wysocki, iXBlue Rovins Nano product manager. “This is now possible regardless of the depth at which it is located: it is therefore not just an evolution, but rather a revolution for the middle water station keeping.”

Where the Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) has limitations, especially when operating in middle water, Rovins Nano is now there to guarantee optimal navigation safety.

“In the future, it will no longer be necessary to use a DVL,” Wysocki said. “Even in ‘sparse array’ LBL fields, with the presence of only one or two beacons, the combination between Rovins Nano and our Ramses acoustic system enables us to reach extremely accurate positioning data.”

A science ROV being retrieved by an oceanographic research vessel.

iXBlue provides more flexibility to its customers: by avoiding the use of DVL, operators reduce their operational and associated calibration costs.

Besides its high level of performance, Rovins Nano adapts itself to the user: the configuration, installation and product’s use have been considerably facilitated, while incorporating a system as complex as the inertial navigation system (INS). The ultimate goal is for the pilot to forget the existence of the product when maneuvering. Moreover, thanks to its compactness, lightness and open architecture with all third-party sensors, Rovins Nano is easy to integrate.

The French high technology company iXBlue is now offering an expanded range of subsea navigation systems, from ROV navigation to survey applications.