POSITIONING / SURFACE GNSS

Surface GPS

A geographic reference when the vehicle surfaces.

GPS receiver for reading the ROV position at the surface and integrating it into the control station.

Sors Ricerche surface GPS mounted on the ROV — Photo from the ROV Explorer / Sors Ricerche archive.

THE SYSTEM IN PRACTICE

How it fits
your work.

A GPS antenna mounted on the vehicle acquires its position when satellite reception is available. The data can be displayed on the QGroundControl map.

During a dive, GPS does not replace acoustic positioning. The position at surfacing is a reference for the vehicle at that moment, not a direct measurement of the coordinates of an object seen on the seabed.

Surface position

Geographic reference when satellite reception is available.

Piloting map

Data that can be linked to the mission display.

Complementary positioning

Distinct from USBL and DVL navigation.

CONFIGURATIONS, EQUIPMENT AND DATA

A closer look.

Vehicle position at the surface

The ROV-mounted GPS antenna integrates with QGroundControl to display position and track the route while the vehicle moves at the surface. Displayed heading depends on the source available in the system: a GPS receiver alone does not always measure the orientation of a stationary vehicle.

Finding a surface reference above the target

For an approximate surface reference, the ROV can ascend vertically above an object at shallow depth and its surface position can be recorded. Currents can cause displacement: this estimate does not replace acoustic positioning of the submerged target.

PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTATION

Images and details

Open the photo for a closer look.

Surface GPS · image 01 from the SORS photo archive.

FROM SPECIFICATION TO OPERATION

Let’s discuss your project.

Environment, equipment and operational objectives.
Together, we define the right configuration.

Contact Sors Ricerche