6.4 Research Assignment - Control Station Analysis

Greensea Systems Inc is a company known for developing equipment specifically for unmanned underwater vehicles. One of the pieces of equipment developed by Greensea is a sophisticated command and control system designed for remote operated vehicles (ROVs). This system is known as Balefire. This is an off the shelf product designed to enable ROVs enhanced functionality.

Greensea develops software packages specifically for navigation and command and control of ROVs and AUVs. Greensea utilizes customized software as well as commercial software to ensure a user friendly, but powerful control system.

This photo provides a view of how the navigation, control, automation, sonar, and video data can be displayed in an easily discernible format.

Balfire provides the operator with key abilities to control and monitor the ROV. The Balefire basic system provides auto depth, auto altitude, heading, fly-by-wire and cruise control.  Enhancements normally incorporate “autopilots, station keeping, dynamic positioning, autonomous control modes, path following, mission planning and sensor fusion to the basic ROV system.” (Haun, 2014) Balefire’s control station presents these and additional features in a clear and concise manner designed for ease of operation.

Additional Control Modes Include

• Attitude Control: Roll, pitch, and heading

• Vertical Control: Depth and altitude

• Velocity Control: X/Y/Z velocities, Yaw rate

• Waypoints, routes, pre-planned missions

• Target tracking: Sonar and camera integration

Greensea’s system is modular in structure and designed to fit into a large number of ROV core inertial navigation system (INS), bringing more extensive command and control to the system. Greensea’s graphical user interface technology adds 2D navigation, chart plotting, payload management, mission planning, diagnostics and overall system control. The design makes this scalable and customizable to a large number of unmanned maritime systems. The system can interface with over 500 sensors and actuators. The system is also easily upgradable by downloading the program modules onto your computer.

The ease of operation of the Balefire system saves time and money on training and real world operations. The system has proven highly effective in increasing the operator’s efficiency and consistency.  

I was unable to identify any issues or challenges faced by current users or recommend changes to improve the system. There are over 300 current systems operating. The modular approach with the ease of software updates, the flexible hardware interface and the pleasing visual display makes this a highly sought after control and navigation system.

The Balefire system data depiction and presentation strategy is dependent on the selected modules. The module displays are presented in simple, straightforward formats. I have selected four examples of the dozen plus potential sensor suites below. As one can see, the presentation design and strategy is user friendly. The system is designed to improve the relationship between the operator and the ROV and the ROV and other computers and/or systems.

This photo demonstrates the navigation interface display for the ROV.

This photo demonstrates the monitoring of some of the ROV electronics.

This photo depicts the intelligence valve pack.

References:

Greensea Control Systems for ROVs. Google Images. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%3ACVYqnDrZ9rcvIjibUGAs6ZqIrS7QratbpBgVF0rM74v8OLyuWZnGgY0DdVqbUjTc0otkHWfVxNeNyCaHDh0qrCW46CoSCZtQYCzpmoitEVTUwK8V4lzsKhIJLtCtq1ukGBURVNTArxXiXOwqEgkXSszvi_1w4vBHikUbuwQ-qoyoSCa5ZmcaBjQN1EVz-9l4Y53r-KhIJWptSNNzSi2QRH8w8n_1-ZZ8cqEgkdZ9XE143IJhEH5xD-D2f15yoSCYcOHSqsJbjoEZGg0gXvf1U1&q=Greensea%20Control%20Systems%20for%20ROVs&ved=0ahUKEwjDt4Xej-fNAhWKTCYKHeosAQsQ9C8ICQ&dpr=1&biw=1536&bih=763#imgrc=EMifY41mZwhkxM%3A

Haun, E. (2014, July 14). Greensea Upgrades SeaView's ROV. Retrieved from http://www.marinelink.com/news/greensea-upgrades372905.aspx

Marine Technology. Greensea News. (2013, May 30). Retrieved from http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/news/c/greensea