about wfs: wireless underwater communications technology

Tel: (805) 798 0277 [email protected]

About WFS WFS is the world’s leading developer of through-water and through-ground electromagnetic communications and sensing products. With over 50 patent applications filed in Europe and the US, our revolutionary products deliver cost savings and new capabilities to the Oil & Gas, Environmental & Industrial, and Homeland Security & Defence industries.

Founded in 2003, WFS launched the world’s first commercially available underwater Radio Modem, Seatext in 2006. The same year, the company was announced as the Overall Winner of the UK MoD’s top innovation award.

WFS’s Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007 and was followed later that year by a launch of the world’s first dual technology Radio Acoustic Modem, RAM-300.

WFS’s disruptive technology is revolutionising control and communications in underwater and underground environments. Underwater Radio Frequency (RF) technology has the distinct advantage that it will operate in adverse water conditions, is unaffected by acoustic noise, is free from multipathing problems and that the Doppler effects are minimal. Critically, WFS’s products support data transmission across the water/air and ground/air boundaries, penetrating the surf zone, ice, harbour walls, and hitherto impenetrable materials.

Pioneering research into underwater RF technology • 50 patent applications in UK & US • First product launched Sept 06 - world’s first underwater RF modem • DTI technology programme funding • Top UK MoD innovation award 2006/07 • Privately owned with offices in Livingston, Scotland and in Houston and

Baltimore in the US. • Customers in:

- Offshore Oil & Gas- Homeland Security & Defence- Environmental Monitoring- Contract Research Organisations

WFS 3 Michaelson Square Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Kirkton Campus Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Livingston, EH54 7DP Email: [email protected] United Kingdom Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk

Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation


Introduction Underwater wireless communications links have up till now almost exclusively been implemented using acoustic systems. Optical links have proved impractical for many applications for a variety of reasons. Although underwater radio links were experimentally evaluated in the pioneering days of radio they were unable to meet the requirements of the time. In light of modern operational requirements and the ready availability of digital communications technology it is now time to re-evaluate the role of electromagnetic signals in the underwater environment.

WFS development work WFS has been exploring this area of technology for over four years in collaboration with a number of government bodies, including the National Physics Laboratory, several universities and industrial partners. This area has been largely neglected in the digital communications era and WFS has filed 50 related international patent applications covering communications, navigation and sensing. WFS has a background in commercial and military terrestrial radio technology.

Experimental work began in 2004 and has progressed from fundamental propagation experiments through data transmission demonstrations to the point of launching our first communications products in the 3rd quarter of 2006. WFS is currently developing three product ranges of underwater telemetry links:

Seatext - Medium range communications system In 2006 WFS launched the Seatext, the world’s first commercial through-water and through-ground radio modem. This system has been designed to transmit signals of up to 100 bps over 30m in sea water, with range dependent on the application and data rate.

Seatext through-water and through-ground radio modem




Environmental Monitoring Application

This product has been targeted at a variety of applications such as environmental monitoring, AUV real time control, data harvesting from underwater sensors and diver communications.

Electromagnetic communication links are particularly suited to shallow water applications where difficult conditions apply or where non-obtrusive solutions are required such as in rivers, estuarine waters, in harbours or around industrial facilities on the coast or off shore. Signals pass through ice with low attenuation so all year data collection is possible even when surface water is frozen.

Seatooth - Short Range, Broadband Electromagnetic Communications WFS’ Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007, a broadband electromagnetic telemetry link aimed at customers who require transfer of large amounts of data (100 kbps) over short distances (up to10 m) under water. This has been designed to support the rapid harvesting of data from underwater sensors by UUVs without the need for hard docking and at very high Joules per bit efficiency.

In practice each deployment has unique requirements. While the Seatooth and Seatext platforms provide the bulk of the system functionality each solution has to uniquely balance parameters such as antenna design; transmit power; duty cycle; data bandwidth; antenna size; and local noise sources in order to achieve an optimised solution for the specific application. WFS provide applications engineering support to ensure a good match of system to each application. .

Broadband Telemetry for Data Harvesting




RAM300 - Dual Mode Radio-Acoustic Modem The through-water and through-ground Radio Acoustic Modem (RAM300) is a 100 bps wireless data communications modem. Through use of hybrid acoustic and Radio Frequency (RF) technology, the RAM300 provides improved quality of service compared to a conventional acoustic modem by extending its capability.

In Radio Modem Mode the system operates in difficult acoustic conditions, such as high ambient acoustic noise, in aerated water, congested conditions, and through water/air boundary and ice. In Acoustic Modem Mode the system offers extended range in deep water.

Applications include networking and data gathering, AUV docking with submarines, surface vessels, and seabed stations.

Networking and data gathering

Conclusion Acoustic underwater communications is a maturing field where fundamental operational limitations are well understood. Communications technology and operational requirements have radically changed since underwater electromagnetism was first evaluated. It is time to re-evaluate the role of underwater electromagnetic signalling in the digital era. WFS has pioneered commercial developments in this area and have launched the world’s first underwater RF communications product with unique capabilities. We believe the impact of this technology will prove disruptive in a broad range of industries including defence, offshore oil & gas and environmental monitoring.




ThroughWater&ThroughGroundRadioModem:Seatext®

SeatextSeatextSeatextSeatext®®®®

OIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GASWorld leaders in throughwater & throughground wireless communications technology

SeatextSeatextSeatextSeatext®®®®

ThroughWater and ThroughGroundRadio Modem :

Seatext® is the world’s first commercial throughwater and

throughground radio communication system.Designed to interface with sensors and control units,Seatext

® can be readily tailored to numerous applications including through water and

through ground data transmission, underwater networking, AUV homing, underwater toUAV communications and diver communications.

Delivering reliable, wireless throughwater & throughgroundcommunications is a major challenge. Acoustic modems and floatingrepeater buoys are deployed widely for throughwater communications, butthey have drawbacks in certain operational scenarios. Floating buoys arenot covert and acoustic modems do not work well in shallow, turbid ornoisy waters.

WFS understands the challenges that operators face when designing andspecifying systems for an operational scenario. The leading edgetechnology being developed by WFS provides substantial operational andcosteffective solutions to the Oil & Gas community.

Meeting the challenges of wireless communication

Crosses water / air interface

Underwater communications

from a variety of platforms,e.g. AUVs, remote sensors andi ns t r umen tat i on . Enab l es

seamless contact with assets onand above the surface. Seatext®

can also be used to set up un

derwater communication networks, of particular use in littoralor harbour waters. Line of sight is not required and the signal will pass through harbour walls.

Key Features & Benefits:

Communicates through ground

Seatext® will pass through

concrete, rock, mud, earth andinto the air to provide securecommunications.

Applications include emergencycommunications in undergroundpublic transport networks, and

extending Network ExtendedCapability into undergroundsensors.

Effective in complex environments

Unlike acoustic systems, WFS’s

radio technology is unaffectedby acoustic noise, turbidity, mudor ice and will operate in shallow

water as well as congestedenvironments such as harbours,estuaries and waterways. In

addition Seatext® operates without interfering with acousticsensors or sonar and can be used without the illeffects to aquatic life often attributed to acoustic technology.




SeatextSeatexSS teatexteatext ®®®®

OIL &OILOO &IL &IL & GASGAGG SASAS

Diagram of Seatext®

modem, set up to transmit from water to shore. The modem can

be easily integrated with third party systems, in this example connecting

to a laptop, GSM modem and Sensor.

Additional Features

Transceiver

Immunity to thermal layers

Fast propagation

Can be connected in a network

Global access

Benefits

• Two way communications

• Can be interfaced to text entry terminal for comms link

• High tolerance of water conditions

• Reduction in Doppler shift

• Extended coverage

• GSM option

Technical Specification Performance

Data rate = 100 bits/sec half duplex Multiplexing – multiple units uniquely

addressable

Modems can be connected in a network

Antenna

Magnetic coupled loop Options available for extended range

Data RS 232 data interface

WFS Subsea Inc Tel: +1 4103565131 Mob: +1 4107901823 Email: [email protected]

Physical (typical)

Modem housing 498mm x 143mm Antenna – application dependent

Power Requirements 24V external power or battery pack to

specific application

3W receiving / 12W transmitting Environmental

50m housing (3000m available on

request) Temp. operating 10 to + 35ºC

WFS Unit 3A Michaelson Square Livingston EH54 7DP UK Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Email: [email protected]

ThroughWater&ThroughGroundRadioModem:Seatext®

RJM Seatext O&G May 2009


Throughwater&throughgroundbroadbanddatalink:Seatooth

SeatoothSeatoothSeatoothSeatoothOIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GAS

SeatoothSeatoothSeatoothSeatooth®®®®

Throughwater and throughgroundbroadband data link

Seatooth® uses the latest electromagnetic digitaltechnology to enable high data rate transmissionover a short range, through water and ground.

Applications include high speed data transfer betweenunderwater sensors and unmanned underwater vehicles (ROVs and AUVs).

World leaders in throughwater & throughground wireless communications technology

Seatooth for mounting in AUV

Target Applications:

High speed data transfer Test tank instrumentation

• UUV to remote sensors

• UUV/ROV/AUV comms

• UUV to host platform

• AUV docking solutions

• Data collection

• Wellhead networking

• Wireless connectors

• Test tankcommunication

Receiving videoat blowout Data box on riserWireless strain monitor

AUV docking fordata & power transfer Throughice comms Wireless connector



Throughwater&throughgroundbroadbanddatalink:Seatooth

SeatoothSeatoothSeatoothSeatoothOIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GASOIL & GAS

Features Benefits

Crosses water/air interface Removes need for cable to shore

Removes need for repeater buoyUnobtrusive, covert, no navigation hazard

High data transfer rate Reduced operating time

Reduced operating costsFast access to data

Connector replacement No connector mate at depth or complex

vehicle docking

Transceiver Two way communications

Shorter download times Reduced power consumption

Immunity to acoustic noise Can operate in littoral or near offshore

facilities / vessels generating acoustic noise

Immunity to particulates Can operate in turbid water

Immunity to multipathing Can operate in shallow water or congested

environments such as harbours/estuaries

No effect on acoustic

transmission

No interference with or harm to aquatic life

No interference with acoustic sensors orsonars

Technical Specification

PerformanceSystemRange

Bit rate

Antenna

TypeDimensions

DataInterface

Up to 10m.

Up to 100 kbits/sec

Magnetic coupled loopVariable to suit application

Transparent EthernetCompatible with TCP/IP

& UDP packets

Power RequirementsEach unitTransmitting 24Vdc, 660mA

Receiving 24Vdc, 190mA

Physical

Housing Applicationspecific

EnvironmentalTemp. operating 10 to + 35ºCTemp. storage 20 to + 50ºC

WFSUnit 3AMichaelson SquareLivingstonEH54 7DP

WFS Subsea Inc UKTel: +1 4103565131 Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600Mob: +1 4107901823 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.ukEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]


RJM Seatooth O&G May 2009

about wfs: wireless underwater communications technology

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