Global Acoustic Positioning System (GAPS)
Summary
The Global Acoustic Positioning System (GAPS) combines an ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning system and an inertial navigation system
(INS) in the same housing to provide accurate position of any subsea object supplied with a transponder. Operating range is up to 4000m water depth with
accuracy 0.2 percent of the distance to the object. The registration angle of 200 degree also enables position detection nearby sea surface. Electronic
device ECB (Easy Connection Box) is installed in echo sounder device room E-525a. Operation is performed by software MMI.
Manufacturer
iXblue
Model
GAPS II
Serial No.
430 9000-129
Type
ultra short baseline positioning systems
SENSOR-Link
Attention:
The need of the system has to be announced in cruise planning document "Einsatzplanung" prior to the cruise.
The mounting of USBL antenna is executed by ships crew, the operation of the system must be executed by experienced scientific staff.
Mounting of antenna takes ca. 45 minutes: removing ice protection of moon pool and lowering GAPS antenna. The reverse procedure for
deinstallation takes the same time.
In case of sea ice conditions the system must be operated with no ship speed but following ROV or drifting is allowed. In ice free conditions
moving of ship is allowed up to 5 knots. Opening angle detecting transponders theoretically amounts to 200 degree. But you need to take the
obstruction by means of ships hull into account.
In the actual version there is no compatibility to USBL system
(USBL-Box), which is also available on board Polarstern.
Online data stream of GAPS is broadcasted via UDP, which can be used by alternative visualization tools (e.g. PosiView) or for seperately
logging.
are
possible.
Attention: Submarine cable must be connected and device must be submerged in water through moonpool in box keel
activating GAPS.
before
