OceanScan-MST

OceanScan-MST is an innovative developer and manufacturer of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for oceanographic research, hydrographic surveys and environmental monitoring. Founded as a spin-off from the University of Porto’s Underwater Systems and Technology Laboratory (LSTS), the company provides flexible solutions for collecting high-quality data from the water column and subsea environments.

LAUV Autonomous Underwater Survey Platform

Portable AUV platform with highly versatile payload capabilities

The LAUV is a lightweight, cost-effective platform that can be equipped for a wide range of underwater survey tasks. OceanScan-MST configures navigation, communications and payload modules during production to meet the end user’s requirements, with options for acoustic surveys, optical imaging and environmental measurements.

Designed for one-person deployment, operation and recovery, the vehicle can be launched from shore, a pier or a small boat without cranes or specialized tools. An external ballast rail allows users to adjust the vehicle for fresh or saltwater operations, while a laptop and portable communications hub provide a simple setup for one or more LAUVs.

Available with 100 m and 400 m depth options, the LAUV reaches speeds of up to 6 knots and provides a typical endurance of 8–12 hours at 3 knots.

Available with 100 m and 400 m depth options, the LAUV reaches speeds of up to 6 knots and provides a typical endurance of 8–12 hours at 3 knots.

Sonar and Underwater Imaging

The LAUV accommodates a variety of acoustic and optical payloads, including side-scan sonar, multibeam echosounders, imaging sonar and synthetic aperture sonar. Micro-bathymetry and nadir gap-filling options are also available, alongside laser scanning and digital video cameras with LED illumination.

Sonar and sensor combinations can be selected for each system, allowing customers to tailor the survey payloads to their requirements. Forward-looking sonar provides obstacle detection, which is particularly useful when operating close to the seabed. The camera option uses illumination positioned away from the camera to reduce scattering and assist identification of underwater objects.

Oceanographic and Environmental Sensors

For water-column measurements, the LAUV can integrate CTD, sound velocity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen sensors. Additional options cover chlorophyll, CDOM/FDOM, fluorescein, rhodamine WT and oil sensing, with instruments available from a range of manufacturers.

More specialized configurations can incorporate MicroRider instrumentation for turbulence microstructure measurements, digital holographic particle imaging, magnetometers or hydrophones. Current profiling is available on request with all DVL options.

The open-source LSTS software toolchain allows users to add custom sensors, algorithms and vehicle behaviors, providing flexibility for operations and research programs with different instrumentation needs.

Navigation and Communications

Standard navigation capabilities include GPS, AHRS and depth sensing. Optional DVL, tactical-grade inertial navigation, LBL, USBL and RTK capabilities provide additional configuration choices, and a tactical-grade FOG IMU option reduces positional drift during dives.

Wi-Fi and 5G cellular connectivity provide surface communications, with optional Iridium satellite messaging for worldwide coverage. Underwater, an acoustic modem enables the LAUV to exchange messages with the communications gateway or other vehicles.

Survey Planning and Operations

OceanScan-MST’s Neptus command and control software runs on a standard or rugged computer and covers configuration, mission planning, simulation, execution and post-mission analysis. Its operator console and mission review and analysis tools provide interfaces for running surveys and reviewing the collected data, with the ability to operate one or multiple LAUVs.

For local control, the LAUV Remote smartphone app enables teleoperation and status checks. Operators can also connect a joystick to the computer running Neptus.

Manta Communications Gateway

The battery-powered Manta gateway connects operators and vehicles through wireless and acoustic communications. Its portable, waterproof enclosure allows installation on a buoy or operation from an open vessel such as a RHIB.

Manta can incorporate extended-range Wi-Fi, an acoustic modem, cellular and Iridium communications, and a GPS receiver. Gateway position can be displayed on the mission map during vessel-based operations, and multiple operators can monitor and control multiple vehicles within the network.

Applications

The LAUV is ideal for marine biology, hydrography and environmental observation, with additional applications in marine archaeology, offshore oil and gas exploration, and renewables. It can also be configured for rapid environmental assessment, search and recovery, security and surveillance, and mine countermeasures.

Turbulence Measurement

Rockland Scientific’s MicroRider sensor package was integrated into a LAUV variant known as LAMTOV, the Light Autonomous Microstructure Turbulence Observation Vehicle. During a demonstration at Ocean Business 2017, the vehicle surveyed a pier to collect in-situ turbulence microstructure measurements.

Coordinated Acoustic & Magnetic Surveys

Exercises with the University of Porto, Portuguese Navy and Portuguese Hydrographic Institute included coordinated surveys using three side-scan-equipped LAUVs. Separate trials compared a LAUV carrying an Ocean Floor Geophysics self-compensated magnetometer with a conventional towed magnetometer, surveying a submerged barrel.

Minehunting

Three LAUVs delivered to the Danish Navy were equipped with Klein dual-frequency side-scan sonar, iXblue inertial navigation and Nortek DVLs. During sea trials, a pre-deployed target was located with positional uncertainty within 3 m after more than 2.5 hours submerged and over 8 km of travel without external navigation aids.