Diver Navigation Buoy with Integrated GPS and USBL Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diver tracking systems fail to provide precise navigation information and ensure diver safety, as well as effective communication between divers and surface personnel.
Innovation Solution
A diver navigation, information, and safety buoy system incorporating a float device with a global positioning system, ultra-short baseline acoustic array, and automatic identification system, which provides precise location tracking, navigation guidance, and emergency communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing diver tracking systems are used, then diver location can be monitored, but precise navigation information and safety communication are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS reception, USBL acoustic tracking, AIS communication, and diver transponder functionality into a single integrated buoy system. This merging of multiple tracking and communication subsystems enables the buoy to simultaneously provide precise navigation information through GPS/USBL integration and maintain safety communication through AIS and transponder links, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and information communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it tracks diver location via GPS and USBL, provides navigation guidance, maintains safety communication through AIS, and enables emergency signaling. This multi-functionality allows a single system to address both the need for precise navigation information and comprehensive safety communication, eliminating the limitation of existing single-function tracking systems.
2Measurement precision
If a buoy system with multiple tracking devices is deployed, then navigation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates GPS antenna, USBL acoustic array, AIS transmitter/receiver, and processing units into a single buoy structure. By merging these multiple tracking and communication devices into one integrated system rather than deploying separate buoy systems, the patent achieves high precision diver location tracking while managing overall system complexity through unified design and shared power/processing resources.
3Measurement precision
If GPS and acoustic arrays are used for tracking, then location precision is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic acoustic pinging from the diver transponder rather than continuous transmission, and updates GPS/AIS information at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation of the GPS receiver, USBL acoustic array, and AIS transmitter reduces energy consumption compared to continuous tracking, while still maintaining sufficient position accuracy for diver navigation and safety monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables precise tracking and navigation of divers, enhances safety by maintaining their location awareness, and facilitates communication for guiding divers to specific locations, while also allowing for emergency distress signaling.
Implementation Method 1
a global positioning system, including a global positioning system antenna device mounted on the float device and a global positioning system receiver device disposed on the float device
Implementation Method 2
The ultra-short baseline acoustic array is capable of underwater wireless communication with the diver transponder
Implementation Method 3
The present disclosure addresses the needs noted above by providing a diver navigation, information and safety buoy system. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system comprises a float device
Data Source
AI summary
A diver navigation, information and safety buoy system and method. The system and method incorporate a float device, and an ultra-short baseline acoustic array in communication with a diver transponder. The system and method also include a GPS system having a GPS antenna device mounted on the float device. The system also includes an AIS system having an AIS antenna mounted on the float. A diver processor permits a diver's location information to be calculated, and the diver can be navigated to a desired destination.