Noise Problems
Acoustic or electric noise in the tracking environment will interfere with the signals used by the
system. There are many sources of noise, including biological (snapping shrimp, etc…), ship
engines, ROV motors, diver’s regulators, AC power lines, low quality inverters, etc… The best way
to locate controllable noise is to use the noise test feature in the tracking software to monitor noise
levels as you turn on and off the possible sources of noise.
ROV noise
Problem
Reason/Solution
Acoustic noise
Move transducer away from thrusters or hydraulics
Electrical noise
(May be radio
interference
through the
air/water or
electrical
interference
through noise on
power supply
lines)
Test for power line noise by removing both the ROV transponder and
the surface station PC from AC power. Test for radio interference by
shutting off all ROV systems. Use battery power, a good generator or a
true sine wave inverter if power line noise is a problem. Move the ROV
transponder away from the ROV to locate radio interference, then mount
in a location where radio interference is minimized.
System Status Indicators
Problem
Reason/Solution
Trace
Suddenly
Stops
(After you been
tracking
successfully)
• Check “last position fix” time in the top right corner of the software. If this
is more then 10-15 seconds there is a communication problem.
• The transponder may be in a shadowed location or too far out of range.
• The battery on the transponder may have died.
