A USBL system contains a minimum of 3 receive transducer elements housed within a single transducer and spaced close together so the ‘baseline’ between the elements is often a fraction of the wavelength, considered ‘Ultra Short’, hence the name Ultra Short Base Line or USBL.
Easytrak USBL systems use specific acoustic signals generated from the transducer and sent to a beacon attached to the target object. The beacon receives this signal and replies back with a different transmission. The measured two-way travel time allows computation of range and bearing, and is calculated from phase measurements of the signal returning to the USBL transducer. |
|
|
Integral pitch and roll sensors correct for transducer movement. The target’s position is determined and displayed on an integral monitor or output to a separate computer. Inputs allow for more accurate sensors such as gyros to be connected for higher positional accuracy. A further GPS input allows for latitude and longitude corrected
co-ordinates of the target beacon or beacons.
The Easytrak system configuration, either
Portable
or
Lite
, has been kept to a minimum with only three main
component parts; the
transducer
and cable, a target
beacon and a surface command console.
 |
| The transducer is narrow enough to be deployed through a ship’s gate valve, or can be used in ‘over the side’ applications free hanging on its own cable, or fixed rigidly to a pole. |
 |
In its Portable configuration, Easytrak’s splashproof command console allows it to be used in operations from small vessels, RIB’s, quaysides and other unprotected areas. The Lite system has been designed with all the same features but requires connection to a separate PC, usually within a dry environment. |