New Features for Octopus F180series

Currently available as an integrated element of the Coda Underwater Inspection System (UIS), the new mounting will be available as an optional accessory for all F180 one-box models later this year.

The new pre -calibrated mounting unit speeds up installation by removing the need for calibration. The offset measurements are already set, so once the mounting is bolted into place on the vessel, the system can be up and running in 15 minutes. The time -saving benefits of this new option have already been acknowledged by the US Coast Guard, currently utilising Octopus F190s on pre -calibrated mountings as part of their Coda Underwater Inspection Systems for port and harbour security.

The installation advantage was also evident in the case of BP's Schiehallion FPSO, when calibration of their Octopus F180+ simply would not have been possible using the conventional process. With the FPSO connected to sea-bed well heads, manoeuvring in figures of eight is obviously impossible and so the custom made mounting for the system eliminated this stage altogether. Within 15 minutes the critical position of the turret was being accurately measured by the F180+.

In another new development, three output strings have been implemented and are now available with all new Octopus F180series systems. Members of CodaOctopus team receive these additional strings for their existing F180 systems as part of their annual membership.

• Tighter integration between the Octopus F180series and the Reson range of multibeam sensors can now be achieved with the Reson UTC string.
• The implementation of the new Trimble PTNL GGK string enables the provision of time, position and height above ellipsoid. The precision of the ‘height above ellipsoid' field is such that, if used with an RTK (1cm) correction, then real time tidal corrections can be performed.
• The new NMEA Rate of Turn string provides the rate of turn in units of degrees per minute. The output is passed through a new 2.5 Hz (Bessel) filter, which has been designed to produce an order of magnitude improvement in signal to noise whilst minimising phase delay.