Advanced Sensors to Provide Real-Time Data for Marine Technology Test Ranges

The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is deploying new sensors at its ReefWorks test range, delivering live data on ocean conditions, vessels, and marine life By William Mackenzie / 21 Oct 2024

Connect with Leading Marine Technology Innovators

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Advanced Sensors to Provide Real-Time Data for Marine Technology Test Ranges
Follow OS&T

A suite of cutting-edge new sensors installed at the Australian Institute of Marine Science’s (AIMS) ReefWorks tropical marine technology test ranges are set to provide live information to future test range users about currents, turbidity, vessels, and marine mammals in the vicinity.

While satellite data provides a wealth of information about the world, it cannot effectively relay what is happening beneath the surface of the ocean in real time. This makes testing and operating uncrewed vessels, particularly autonomous underwater vessels (AUVs), challenging.

Acquired by AIMS with the support of the Queensland Government, the new sensors include a frame fitted with a hydrophone, a smart mooring that measures waves and currents and surface buoys that measure turbidity.

The smart mooring also includes an acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV) that sits in the water column to measure currents.

ReefWorks Systems Engineer Vic Grosjean said the hydrophone could detect the different acoustic signatures of marine mammals, such as dugongs, dolphins, and whales, as well as identify different types of vessels and uncrewed platforms.

Mr Grosjean explained, “At this stage we still need to retrieve the mooring to download the data it collects but, in not-too-distant future, we expect it will be able to provide live passive acoustic monitoring of both our inshore test range and our Davies Reef. This live data will be an important environmental management feature and has some exciting potential applications.

“Typically, our current sensors sit on the ocean bed, but at our inshore test range it would get buried in sediment quite quickly. We will avoid this because the ADV is suspended in the water column in one of the deepest areas of our inshore test range. The data collected will help guide the construction of the new wharf to minimise sedimentation impacts.”

Understanding currents in real time is set to inform decisions about where and when to launch small underwater vehicles, and will help to quickly pinpoint and retrieve uncrewed systems that lose contact with operators before they start to drift. Mr Grosjean stated that the smart mooring also measured wave activity on the range.

During the deployment of the hydrophone and ADV, two buoys with turbidity sensors that had been deployed a few months previously were retrieved to measure the amount of sedimentation on the ReefWorks inshore test range.

Posted by William Mackenzie Edited by William Mackenzie, Junior Editor and Copywriter practised in digital content creation and writing about defense and marine technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Profile Spotlight: MetOcean Telematics & Maritime Satellite Communications

OST is helping MetOcean Telematics showcase its satellite communications and telemetry solutions, supporting marine industries like research, fisheries, and environmental monitoring

Feb 12, 2025
Understanding Deep Trekker’s BRIDGE Technology for Reliable ROV Control

Deep Trekker explains how its BRIDGE technology integrates hardware and software to enhance ROV operations, providing seamless communication between the vehicle, its controller, and third-party sensors

Feb 12, 2025
Actisense Enhances NMEA 2000 System Monitoring with New Features

Actisense has introduced new interface updates, including improved navigation, real-time NMEA data viewing, enhanced logging, network mapping, and simplified data routing for better system diagnostics and management

Feb 12, 2025
Iridium Certus® GMDSS Enhances Global Maritime Communications & Safety

Iridium Communications is launching the Iridium Certus® GMDSS, a comprehensive maritime safety and communication service that delivers global distress alerting, safety voice, and MSI capabilities through a single terminal

Feb 11, 2025
The Evolution of Maritime Autonomous Systems

Greenroom Robotics outlines the development of maritime autonomous systems, from basic autopilot functions to AI-driven platforms that significantly reduce human intervention

Feb 11, 2025
SubC Imaging Extends Maritime Reach with New Partnership

SubC Imaging’s new partnership with Dockstr, a provider of equipment solutions to the marine industries, is set to expand its reach to clients across the construction, renewables, marine, ocean science, and oil and gas sectors

Feb 10, 2025

Featured Content

Case Study: Trimble Applanix Technology Powers Hydrographic Surveys

In this case study, SEP Hydrographic Limited opted for Trimble Applanix technology to enhance its asset inspections, employing high-resolution 3D scanning for superior data quality above and below the waterline

Feb 10, 2025
Charles River to Develop MAGNETO Submarine Detection System for U.S. Navy

Charles River Analytics is set to develop its MAGNETO submarine detection system for the U.S. Navy, leveraging magnetic signals to to detect stealthier and quieter submarines

Feb 04, 2025
Teledyne Marine’s Slocum Gliders Enhance Conservation Efforts in the Roseway Basin

Researchers have deployed Teledyne Marine’s Slocum gliders in the Roseway Basin to detect and track marine mammals in near-real-time, enhancing conservation efforts through advanced acoustic monitoring technology

Feb 04, 2025