What is possible

Ranger 2 comes with an impressive list of features including our award-winning 6G (sixth generation) acoustic hardware platform and Sonardyne Wideband 2 digital signal architecture. It provides stable and repeatable acoustic position referencing for your ship’s DP system, including those from GE, Kongsberg, MT, Navis, Thrustmaster and Wärtsilä.

As your needs grow and become more complex, bolt-on software packs unlock additional capability and protect your investment. Take the DP pack and enable your acoustic ranging to be aided by our inertial navigation technology (DP-INS). Add the robotics pack and commanding a swarm of up to 99 AUV’s is at your fingertips.

Ranger 2 can do even more, it also supports robust two-way data telemetry, allowing you to control our range of seafloor deployed, long-endurance sensors and recover your all-important data.

Track everything, in any depth, from any vessel

Why choose it?

• Tracks multiple targets to 11 km;
• Compatible with all makes of DP system – GE, Kongsberg, MT
• System accuracy: when fully optimised it will deliver 0.04% of slant range
• Works with a global inventory of pre-deployed Sonardyne 6G hardware
• Configurations available for USV and temporary vessel installations
• Valuable features included as standard
• Bolt-on packs available for growth with your operations and ambitions
• Developed and supported by a company with over 50 years of experience in innovative underwater technology

The kit

Transceivers

Our High Performance Transceiver (HPT), is available in a range of different designs to suit your operations whether they are in deep or shallow water or over a long layback.

HPT 5000 / 7000 are acoustic and telemetry transceivers designed for use with Ranger 2 USBL system. HPT 5000 enables targets offer wide range of water depths to be tracked; HPT 7000 is optimised for noisy DP drilling and construction vessels and in deep water.

HPT 5000 offers full hemispherical acoustic coverage so is a popular choice for tracking multiple targets (ROVs, AUVs, towfish, seafloor sensors) over a wide range of depths and elevations. The unit is also suitable for dynamic positioning reference on survey, research and offshore support vessels.

HPT 7000 is engineered for ultra-deepwater operations, tracking targets far below (rather than to the side of) a vessel, and for high vessel noise operating environments such as those typical of DP, drilling and construction where activity from thrusters is liable to cause signal interference.

If you need a solution for a vessel of opportunity, our pre-calibrated, all-in-one Gyro USBL transceiver is perfect. Lighter, smaller and just as capable, our second-generation Gyro USBL transceiver works seamlessly with Ranger 2 to track the position of your subsea targets from a USV, vessel of opportunity or from a pipelay vessel’s stinger over extreme ranges.

• All-in-one instrument; combined 6G acoustic transceiver and AHRS
• Choose between standard or ‘plus’ variants to suit your project’s specifications
• Optimises the performance of Ranger 2; eliminates lever arm offsets, pole bending and ship flexing errors
• Calibrated in-water before delivery – saving you time; install it and go to work

Transponders

The flexibility of the Ranger 2 family is further extended by our range of transponders to support a wide variety of your operations. WMT is a high-power transponder capable of operations to 7,000 m, while AvTrak 6 is our most capable acoustic vehicle instrument, combining the functions of a USBL transponder, LBL transceiver and modem for demanding applications such as AUV command and control.

Mini in size, big in performance

Small but mighty

Measuring just 213 mm in height (only fractionally taller than some competing DVL-only instruments), 148 mm in diameter and weighing in at approximately 3.6 kg in air for the 300 m rated unit – or 7.1 kg for the 4,000 m depth version – for something so small, SPRINT-Nav Mini packs a big punch for all your underwater ocean robot applications.

It’s powered by the same hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation algorithm you’ll find inside our established SPRINT-Nav family. This combines the strengths of all its sensors to provide robust, precise and accurate outputs. It continues to work even in challenging environments providing a continuous stream of positions, orientation, velocities, depth and altitude at up to 200 updates per second.

Ready to go

Your SPRINT-Nav Mini arrives pre-calibrated, meaning there is no need to manoeuvre your vehicle every time the unit is mobilised. SPRINT-Nav Mini does the thinking for you, all in a single plug-and-play unit. Turn it on, give it a latitude, and away you go.

Despite its extremely small size, it’s still a true north seeking gyrocompass which won’t drift over time unlike MEMS-based systems. The output can be fed directly to your own (or a third party) user interface or vehicle control software. The simple web user interface makes setup and configuration painless. It could not be any simpler.

Need to harvest data from coastal waters or around offshore structures? Not a problem! Low power and small, SPRINT-Nav Mini is ideal for installing on all size ROVs or USVs undertaking data harvesting missions, even in GNSS-denied environments.

Conducting marine research on a restricted budget? Let us help… Because it’s lower cost than the four separate sensors it replaces, SPRINT-Nav Mini is the budget-friendly solution for your research platforms where funds need to stretch as far as possible.

Available in two depth ratings, 300 m and 4,000 m. A side-connector option is also available, depth rated for 300 m and only 183 mm high, making it ideal for tight spaces on small platforms.

SPRINT-Nav Mini at a glance

• 213 mm tall by 148 mm in diameter; the industry’s smallest all-in-one hybrid acoustic-inertial subsea navigator
• Hybrid DVL-INS synergies dramatically improve both robustness and performance compared with standalone instruments.
• Fly higher – 500 kHz DVL maintains bottom lock at up to 200 m altitude
• Replaces four separate instruments; AHRS, DVL, INS and pressure sensor – saving you cost, cabling and payload
• Easy to integrate, simple to operate, web UI for configuration

Navigate your marine environment with the confidence only SPRINT-Nav can provide.

Pinpoint location precision. Enhance your operations by adding valuable location detail enabling you to identify exactly where your data is drawn from or to pinpoint the location of assets, obstacles and pipelines.

Guide, control and navigate your USVs, ROVs and AUVs faster, safely and more efficiently with SPRINT-Nav. Operate your vehicles and vessels with the confidence of knowing exactly where they are and what they’re doing.

No calibration needed. Straight out of the box SPRINT-Nav is ready to go, saving you precious time on your operations.

Reduced in size – but not in performance, SPRINT-Nav Mini is the industry’s smallest all-in-one hybrid acoustic-inertial subsea navigator. It provides the perfect instrument for you to control your smaller inspection class ROVs and small to medium sized USVs.

Engineered for all autonomous vehicles no matter what size or purpose, there is a SPRINT-Nav for your operations.

Why should you invest?

By choosing SPRINT-Nav you are choosing an all-in-one acoustic-inertial navigation sensor, replacing the need for a separate DVL, pressure sensor and INS/AHRS. Saving you the time, cost, cabling and integration challenges associated with using different sensors from different vendors.

At a glance

• Unique to Sonardyne
• Performance levels to suit your operations
• Tightly integrates raw acoustic, Doppler and inertial data
• Titanium housed for deep ROV missions
• Outputs altitude, depth, orientation and velocity
• Configure and control using a Web UI

Overview

Gyro iUSBL combines our generation high performance HPT Inverted USBL transceiver and a Lodestar Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS) in the same titanium pressure rated mechanical assembly capable of operating at depths of 7000 m.

With the AHRS/INS in fixed mechanical alignment to the iUSBL’s pressure balanced acoustic array, the Gyro iUSBL can be quickly deployed without need for a calibration to determine the alignment of the ship’s motion sensors to the acoustic transceiver. For many applications, this can enable significant time savings and operational costs.

At a glance

• Designed to work with Ranger 2 USBL
• Tracks your deep tow vehicle beyond 10,000 m
• Integrated USBL transceiver and SPRINT INS
• Depth rated to 7,000 m
• Offers 10x improvement in positioning precision

Overview

WMT is a 6G compatible, high acoustic output power USBL transponder available in two depth versions: 3,000 m and 7,000 m. The 7,000 m version has a higher acoustic output power level for improved long-range operation.

For ROV and towfish tracking, WMT supports responder trigger for faster position updates, an integrated rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack that is charged from the ROV’s power supply and full RS232 communications enabling channel set up, power and gain etc. to be changed from the surface.

At a glance

• Use it with Ranger 2 for deep water, long layback tracking tasks
• High power acoustic output and directional transducer
• Responder mode for fast position updates
• Full two-way Sonardyne Wideband 2 interrogation and reply
• Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack
• Optional remote transducer

An on/off switch (3,000 m only) helps to ensure the battery pack is not discharged when not in use. If an umbilical trigger is not available, then the full Wideband transponder mode provides excellent USBL performance in a small, lightweight package.

Remote omni or directional transducers are available for WMT. These make installation on a ROV easier as the remote transducer can be installed where there is good line-of-sight and is easily replaced if damaged. The main body of the transponder can then be installed within the ROV frame where it is well protected from damage.

Overview

WSM 6+ is one our most popular USBL transponders, selected by customers for its small size, value and dependable performance in all environments, shallow or deep.

It’s the perfect choice for fitting to observation and work-class ROVs, towfish, submersibles and equipment being deployed onto the seabed for short durations.

WSM 6+ is compatible with all of our Ranger 2 USBL systems and we even include one with every Ranger 2 Standard – as standard.

The compact and rugged design is based on the field proven mechanics from previous generation designs and is available with omni-directional or directional transducers. The omni version is depth rated to 1,000  m and the directional is depth rated to 4,000 m.

At a glance

• Rechargeable USBL transponder designed for tracking ROVs, towfish and equipment
• Choice of 1,000 m (omni-directional) and 4,000 m (directional) depth ratings
• Compatible with our family of Ranger 2 USBL systems: Micro, Mini and Standard
• Transponder or responder operating modes
• Depth sensor for improved USBL positioning performance
• External on/off switch for battery saving

Both versions support transponder and responder operating mode if an external trigger from your platform is available. Responder mode provides significantly faster position updates than transponder mode.

WSM 6+ supports Wideband 2 acoustic signals and legacy Wideband 1 and HPR 400. The configuration is programmable using supplied software and a serial link or it can be configured acoustically via our back deck handheld test unit – iWand. This allows the WSM 6+ to be configured for use with all of the popular MF frequency acoustic navigation systems.

Both types of WSM 6+ are also fitted with a depth sensor fitted as standard to aid USBL positioning accuracy and an external on/off switch to save battery power when not in use.

WSM 6+ variants are available with acoustically controlled output lines suitable for external motor drive, burnwire or contact closure releases.

Overview

Nano operates in the Medium Frequency (MF) band, so it’s compatible with our family of Ranger 2 USBL topside systems; Micro, Mini and Standard.

Measuring in around 160 mm in length, 55mm in diameter and weighing in at under 200 grams in water – depending on the exact version you’re using – Nano is small enough to fit on the smallest of vehicles and light enough for a diver to barely know they’re carrying one.

Nano’s built using the same signal technology platform you’ll find in our award-winning 6G product line – Wideband 2. So you can expect reliable acoustic communications in all operating environments, accurate position fixes and a continuous stream of location updates.

At a glance

• 2nd generation design, extended battery life and 500 m depth rating
• NFC, connector and OEM housing options
• NFC version is just 160 mm long by 55 mm in diameter. USBL transponders don’t get much smaller than this
• Depth rated to 500 m
• Easy to fit to divers, ROVs, equipment and AUVs

Nano features a 90-day quiescent battery life, ideal for long-term deployments and recovering lost assets. Nano’s battery lasts up to 12 hours, even when being actively tracked with one second position update rate.

The NFC Nano features a unique connector-less design that is recharged and programmed via the Nano Docking Station. The NFC technology allows full configuration of the Nano whilst maintaining its rugged “strap on and go” form factor.

The cabled Nano features an industry standard Subconn connector allowing the Nano to be permanently powered, and can also be used in Responder mode.

When purchasing a Micro-Ranger 2 USBL system, we include two Nanos as standard. You’re able to choose between the NFC or connector version at no additional cost.

For vehicle programs and integrators, the Nano OEM when paired with an OEM transducer provides all the functionality of the housed transponders, in a form factor that can be mounted in any system.

Nano has an inbuilt depth sensor and is a 500 m depth rated unit.