AUV Fleet Relay Architecture for Scalable Underwater Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater mapping systems are inefficient due to high costs and limited area coverage, requiring a large host surface vessel and a single autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to operate together, which restricts the scanning area and increases operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a single host platform communicating wirelessly with multiple unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) acting as intermediate nodes, which in turn communicate with multiple AUVs, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple AUVs to increase scanning area coverage significantly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single host surface vessel pairs with a single AUV for underwater mapping, then communication and control are simplified, but the area coverage per unit time is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mapping operation by deploying multiple AUVs that operate in parallel across different areas. Each AUV maintains independent communication with the host vessel, dividing the total mapping area into multiple concurrent zones and thereby increasing overall productivity without proportionally increasing communication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The host surface vessel acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple AUVs simultaneously. It manages communication channels, task allocation, and data aggregation for multiple vehicles, enabling area coverage expansion while centralizing control to prevent communication system complexity from scaling linearly with the number of AUVs.
2Reliability
If a large host surface vessel with full exploration equipment is deployed, then mission control and data analysis capabilities are comprehensive, but operational costs and personnel requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The host surface vessel is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a communication coordinator and a data processing center. By consolidating these functions on a single platform rather than requiring separate specialized vessels, the system reduces overall personnel requirements while maintaining comprehensive mission control and data analysis capabilities.
3Productivity
If multiple AUVs operate simultaneously from a single host platform, then area coverage increases dramatically, but communication coordination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system employs dynamic channel allocation and adaptive task assignment. The host vessel continuously monitors the operational status of multiple AUVs and dynamically adjusts communication priorities, data transmission rates, and task distribution based on real-time conditions, thereby managing coordination complexity while maximizing area coverage efficiency.
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
This configuration drastically increases area coverage per unit time, reduces operational costs, and optimizes resource utilization by minimizing the host vessel's movement and personnel requirements, while maintaining constant communication with AUVs.
Implementation Method 1
The host platform and the SVs communicate via a first communications protocol
Implementation Method 2
the SVs and the AUVs communicate via a second communications protocol, distinct from the first communications protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a single host surface vehicle (HSV) by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the HSV to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the HSV and the AUVs allowing the HSV to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data.