New Wave Media

 

First field trials have been conducted on Roadford Lake, North Devon, in which MOST (AV)’s 3.5m AutoNaut unmanned surface vessel (USV) deployed Seiche’s Wireless Passive Acoustic Monitoring (WPAM) system.

 

The field tests assessed the performance of the AutoNaut/WPAM for: self-noise, data transmission capabilities and optimal array deployment.

 

Analysis of the trial data showed a very high Signal to Noise ratio. AutoNaut’s unique wave propulsion technology makes it an extremely quiet platform and, with proven reliability for long mission duration, there is clear potential for sound measurement and marine mammal monitoring. The full acoustic signal was transmitted in true real time from the USV by Seiche’s WPAM system. The next step will be to build up range capability. During the Roadford trials, up to 50 meters of PAM cable was towed by the AutoNaut to assess the ideal array length for surveying and maneuverability. Seiche’s analogue array was used and the USV proved perfectly capable of maintaining speed and stability.

 

These trials showed AutoNaut to be a solid platform for Seiche’s analogue array and transmission system. Further development is already underway and the next phase will involve heading out to sea and utilizing Seiche’s new flagship product, the 20mm Digital array, in combination with MOST (AV)’s equally new and more capable 5m AutoNaut. 

 

Roy Wyatt, Seiche’s MD, commented, “The AutoNaut-PAM combination is ideal. It is a near-silent platform for conducting long term acoustic monitoring. It has a great future in several sectors: Oil and Gas, Oceanographic Science and Defense.”

 

Mike Poole, Director of MOST (AV) said, “This is a great start and proof the PAM-AutoNaut brings together the special attributes of these two technologies. The low-drag and low-power demand WPAM towed array, with its wireless telemetry and state of the art hydrophone system, fits perfectly with a small AutoNaut’s very quiet, all-weather long endurance performance. Together these can radically reduce the costs of PAM operations by removing much of the need for manned ships.  We are delighted to be collaborating with Seiche on this and other AutoNaut applications.”