cartome.org

19 June 2001

Source: http://postoffice.nrlssc.navy.mil/abstract%2023.htm

IMPROVED SURVEY ACCURACY WITH ORCA

M. Harris B. Bourgeois
Naval Research Laboratory
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-5004

Abstract

The advent of multibeam bathymetry systems, which are capable of total seafloor ensonification, have made fundamental changes in hydrography. The new IHO S-44 standards challenge hydrographers to achieve even greater depth and position accuracy with multibeam systems. ORCA has made incremental improvements in each of these areas as demonstrated in a series of at sea survey tests. Improvements have been made to the system that allow collection of data during turns, an order of magnitude improvement in heading measurement, and accurate measurement of vessel depth with respect to mean sea-level. Data collection during turns was achieved using a sensor that integrates inertial and GPS signals. Heading accuracy has been improved by going from a gyro based measurement system to a dual-antenna GPS phase differencing system. In addition to more accurate placement of soundings, especially in the outer beams, the system components are smaller and require less power than those replaced. Vessel depth measurements are made with a high-frequency altimeter, which also yields sea surface information including wave height, period, number and direction. An autonomous surveying capability has been developed to achieve the desired ensonification of the seafloor without over or under surveying an area. Coverage is based on the quality of data in the outer beams and the desired overlap in coverage. This paper describes the sensor and software changes made to the ORCA, and provides comparative results from system testing.

Sponsored by the Oceanographer of the Navy via SPAWAR PMW 185.

Published in the Marine Technology Society, Ocean Community Conference 98, Volume 1, November 16, 1998.
Naval Research Laboratory Contribution Number NRL/PP/7440 98-0008.
Conference Proceedings