IPS Introduction
The Integrated Positioning System (IPS) software allows for the integration of the EdgeTech Broadband Acoustic Tracking System (BATS), a ship's GPS and a heading sensor (GPS-GYRO, flux gate or gyro compass) to a personal computer (PC) running Windows 7, 8 or 10 operating systems. The system allows for the tracking and navigation of the primary surface support vessel (BATS platform), up to nine submerged targets (e.g., an ROV, AUV, submersible, towfish, diver, etc.) in addition to one remote ship and one Doppler Velocity Log navigation system.
Notes: A secondary or remote ship can be displayed on the primary support vessel (IPS session) as target 9 provided the data can be transmitted to the primary support vessel. This is typically done using point-to-point RF data modems usually in the UHF bandwidth. Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) units supported included the Teledyne (RDI) Workhorse Navigator and the Link Quest units.
The position of the submerged targets relative to the ship is determined by the BATS and sent to a PC over a Local Area Network (LAN) or via an RS-232 serial link. The submerged targets' relative bearings are adjusted to a true bearing using the information from the ship’s heading sensor. The actual position (latitude/longitude) of the submerged target is then calculated based on the range and true bearing relative to the surface support ship's position as supplied by a GPS receiver. The results are then graphically displayed on the PC's screen. The data may be stored and retrieved for later processing.