iXBlue Announces RAMSES Launch at OI

iXBlue launched the next-generation medium-frequency RAMSES, a long synthetic baseline positioning system for ROV/AUV navigation, offshore oil and gas support, metrology and other demanding subsea applications. The system can be tightly coupled with iXBlue inertial navigation systems (INS) and delivers extreme precision and robustness in challenging acoustic operational environments. Available in MF and LF versions (medium frequency for most applications and low frequency for ultra-long range applications), RAMSES is part of iXBlue’s inertial-acoustic solutions for underwater positioning and navigation.

The next-generation product offers a variety of new features, such as sparse-array positioning and more open architecture with greater interoperability, making it more versatile, faster to deploy and easier to use – all of which translates into genuine cost savings for RAMSES users. For an iXBlue complete inertial-acoustic solution for ultra-short baseline (USBL) positioning applications, RAMSES MF can be combined with iXBlue fourth-generation USBL GAPS and OCEANO MF transponders; alternatively, RAMSES LF can be combined with POSIDONIA and OCEANO LF transponders. 

In the past, for the best performance, systems have required six or more transponders to provide the necessary redundancy and reliability, and several hours have had to be set aside to deploy the transponders and calibrate their relative or absolute positions. The advantage of the latest RAMSES system is that it provides the same accuracy as previous systems with fewer transponders (sparse array). Further, through the all-in-one self-contained on-board computing engine (no need for umbilical) and the use of innovative algorithms and Kalman filtering techniques, the transponders can be fully calibrated by performing a simple ‘box-in’ around the entire (sparse) array.

Significantly, RAMSES is now able to communicate with a range of third party transponders, making possible its deployment on existing sensor networks.

Christian Giroussens, iXBlue’s VP of Acoustic Products Division said, “The latest RAMSES system offers all the benefits of previous-generation systems, notably their ease of interfacing with iXBlue’s inertial navigation systems (INS) such as PHINS and our USBL positioning system, GAPS. On top of this, though, the new system provides clear advantages in terms of compatibility with existing sensors and speed of deployment with auto-calibration, as well as absence of need for a top-side computer/ umbilical, which translates into significant savings in terms of both capital investment and operational costs.” 

The new RAMSES can be combined with iXBlue PHINS high-precision INS/DVL and OCEANO transponders to create the iXBlue inertial-acoustic metrology ComMet solution. ComMet enables rapid and robust acquisition of accurate metrology data and traceable dimensional measurements of subsea structures, and is generally used in the design and production of interconnections between those structures.

RAMSES customers will benefit from iXBlue’s comprehensive warranty and a 24/7 support line. The new medium frequency RAMSES is available immediately.

ixblue.com