4.5 - Research Assignment: Unmanned System Data Protocol and Format

General Dynamics Bluefin Robotics designs and sells five models within their highly sophisticated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) series known as Bluefin. The most recent addition to this series is the Bluefin 21, pictured below: 

 

 

        

The vast majority of AUVs and Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs) are designed with a single exterior shell. The Bluefin 21 is designed to house the propulsion system, payload and battery modules in separate sections, allowing for ease of payload and battery transitions while out at sea. This provides the ability for the AUV to be reconfigured and placed back into service very rapidly.  

 

The Bluefin 21 operates on a Graphic User Interface based tool suite. This software package interfaces between the Bluefin 21 and the operator. It enables the operator to plan the mission, monitor the AUV during parts of the mission, manage the data collected by the AUV and the payload sensors (if they are being stored in the tool suite), as well as conduct a post mission review. The internal data for the system is stored on a 4 gigabyte flash drive. 

 

The Bluefin 21 has over 70 sensor payloads engineered into the design. The most common exteroceptive sensor suite on the 21 is an "EdgeTech 2200-M 120/410 kHz side scan sonar, an EdgeTech DW-216 sub-bottom profiler and a Reson 7125 400 kHz multibeam echo sounder" (General Dynamics, 2016). The data can be collected and stored on board via a solid state drive. This can be uploaded while on the surface via an RF, Iridium or acoustic antenna; or can be transferred via an Ethernet cable (General Dynamics, 2016). 

 

The Edge Tech 2200 side scan sonar and the DW-126 sub-bottom profiler can either use the AUV's power supply, from which they draw very little, or can contain their own power source. The side scan sonar can be placed within the pressure hull or attached externally. The system is designed so the side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler can operate in coordination with each other or independently. 

 

"The 200 kHz Reson 7125 multibeam echo sounder requires 48V DC 58W (Provided by sonar processor)  110/220 VAC 50/60Hz, 300W and takes up minimal space - Receive Array:  102 x 496 x 131 mm; Transmit Array:  100 x 259 x 117 mm; Link Control Unit:  530.9 x 174 mm; and the 7-P Processor:  431 x 146 mm."  (Reson Seabat, n.d.)  
 

Bluefin Robotics has an established system in place to ensure the sensor suites are integrated into the overall AUV strategy from the outset. The design of the AUV's "payload hardware interface" allows for a virtual plug and play for payloads from vendors who commonly work with Bluefin Robotics to newly designed payload/sensor systems from first time vendors. The engineers from various disciplines within Bluefin Robotics review and analyze the sensor suites to ensure system compatibility and ease of operation. This also includes data processing considerations. The Bluefin 21's power and communications center allows for interaction with new suites without requiring extensive redesign.  

 

This innovative design enables the use of the Bluefin 21 for a myriad of applications to include: Search and Salvage, Oceanography; Exploration; Mine Countermeasures and Unexploded Ordinance Detection (General Dynamics, 2016). 

 

References: 

 

Bluefin-21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), United States of America. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/bluefin-21-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-auv/ 

 

General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016).  Bluefin Robotics, Bluefin-21. Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21  

 

General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016).  Bluefin Robotics, Bluefin-21. Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/assets/Uploads/Maritime-Bluefin-21-UUV-01-0416.pdf 

 

General Dynamics Mission Systems (2016).  Bluefin Robotics, Bluefin-21. Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/technology/sensor-integration/ 

 

RESON SEABAT 7125 HIGH RESOLUTION MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER. (n.d.) Retrieved from 
www.oceanscan.net/RESONSEABAT7125MULTIBEAMECHOSOUNDER%20(1).pdf