NASPos Demonstrates Performance

Nautronix NASPos USBL system has been proving its performance in a number of applications. The system utilises Nautronix Acoustic Digital Spread Spectrum (ADS2) signalling to provide enhanced performance. ADS2, in its NASPos implementation can provide significant signal-to-noise benefits and up to 15 times better signal detection. This results in a much more accurate system which can perform in traditionally difficult operating scenarios.
During the 2003 North Sea season NASPos was chosen to operate from a tug to monitor a structure being towed out to a location. By operating the NASPos system from the tow tug, the customer was able to save on an accompanying survey vessel and despite the cavitation associated with such a vessel, the system provided continuous tracking and met all the customer requirements.
In another, similar, application, a customer was having problems tracking a towed plough due to cavitation from the vessels propellers caused by the high bollard pulls required for the operation. The NASPos worked faultlessly in tracking the beacon on the plough, even up to bollard pulls of over 100tonnes. The results of this operation have generated considerable interest in similar requirements for this operational season.
ADS2 signalling also allows NASPos to achieve longer ranges. This was ably demonstrated on an operation in South East Asia where the customer required to track a towed instrument array, which would be operating in depths of up to 2,300msw. This resulted in slant range measurements up to 4,500m. The NASPos system achieved these ranges and solid tracking of the tow-fish. This is believed to be the first time that such ranges have been reliably measured in this type of application.