Now, there is a proven, reliable radio-based communication technology that is delivering impressive results in real-world trials beyond what has ever been achieved before. The CSignum HydroFi™ Modem transmits data over tens of meters from below the water to receivers at or above the waterline. The HydroFi Modem enables monitoring from locations that were never previously possible. Whereas acoustic technology is limited to water-to-water communications in deep water, HydroFi allows the delivery of data directly to users and client systems which are located invariably topside in the air.
While acoustic and optical solutions can be potentially hazardous to marine life and limited to through water applications, HydroFi technology is safe and operates well in shallow conditions or splash zones, high turbidity and biofouling—wherever incumbent technologies struggle to operate due to significant environmental noise sources or biofouling from long term deployments with limited maintenance.
HYDROFI MODEM
The modem is capable of communication up to a 28-35 m range depending on the specific deployment environment. It transmits at 200 bits/second, is depth-rated to 250 m, and supports the standard RS-232 interface for external system and sensor connectivity. Designed to work seamlessly with the standard interfaces of sondes, sensors, AUVs, ADCPs and dataloggers, HydroFi technology will complement existing deployments of acoustic and optical networks in adverse conditions.
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
- Depth Rating: 250 m (820 ft)*
- Ambient Operating Temperature: -20°C (-4 F°) to 45°C (113°F)
- Dimensions: OD 110 mm Length 500 mm with 9-cell battery pack
- Weight: 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs)
- Housing Material: Acetal
- Data Interfaces: RS-232*
- Configuration: Method CSignum Custom Configuration Application
- Communications Baud Rate: 200 bps*
- External Sensor Pack Interface: 8-way female subconn
- Internal Battery Capacity: 9-cell alkaline as standard
*CSignum has plans to enhance range and data rate, increase depth rating up to 3,000 m (9,842 ft) and expand data interfaces to support RS-485, SDI12, and others.
UNCREWED DATA RECOVERY WITH HESS AND OCEAN AERO
The HydroFi Modem is poised to potentially revolutionize the way we collect data subsea and really supercharge our ability to monitor the underwater environment as well as any infrastructure deployed in it. Automating data acquisition and retrieval to enable large scale ocean observing as well as monitoring of large assets such as petroleum or gas pipelines, is now possible.
The HydroFi Modem has undergone successful trials for AUV and ASV data recovery. The modem was used in an industrial asset integrity initiative underway at HESS for monitoring, inspecting, and repairing assets at sea using autonomous vehicles in the oil and gas sector, a project that also has promising potential for environmental monitoring.
HESS and Ocean Aero have successfully completed initial trials in which a HydroFi Modem deployed on a Triton AUV sent and received information from underwater sensors positioned either on the sea floor or on submerged buoys. HydroFi’s unique advantage of being able to transmit through the water-air boundary allows the data to be collected by either underwater, surface or even airborne vehicles.
A water-air maximum communication distance of 22 m was demonstrated alongside a 30 m underwater-only range. The HydroFi was able to operate reliably in both directions—Triton to surface and surface to Triton.
According to Keith Blystone, Chief of Staff at Ocean Aero: “By autonomously collecting and communicating subsurface data wirelessly with the Triton, we can speed up information gathering for Hess—and that means faster decision making.”
This story was originally featured in ON&T Magazine’s March 2023 issue. Click here to read more.
