Power Line Modems for Subsea Data Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea devices like ROVs often lack fiber capability and primary data transmission systems can fail, necessitating a redundant and efficient data transmission method that does not require additional fibers.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing power conductors in umbilicals or tethers with power line modems for bi-directional data transmission as a backup or primary method, allowing for control and video telemetry data to be transmitted, and providing redundancy through multiple power lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extra fibers or pathways are added for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power conductors are made to serve dual functions: delivering electrical power to the subsea device and transmitting data signals. By embedding data transmission capability within the existing power cable infrastructure, the system eliminates the need for separate fiber optic pathways while achieving both power delivery and reliable data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines power transmission and data transmission functions into a single integrated system using power line communication technology. The data signals are modulated onto the power conductors, merging two previously separate functions into one unified transmission medium, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Speed
If fiber optic pathways are used for data transmission, then bandwidth and transmission speed are improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing power cable infrastructure is made to serve itself by enabling data transmission through the same conductors that deliver power. This self-service approach allows the power cable to provide both energy and communication functions without requiring additional installation of fiber optic pathways, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining adequate transmission speeds for control and telemetry applications.
3Loss of information
If primary data transmission systems are used, then communication capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes transmission parameters by switching between power line communication mode and fiber optic mode based on system conditions. When fiber pathways experience failures or degradation, the system automatically adjusts by utilizing the power conductor communication pathway, thereby maintaining data transmission integrity and improving overall communication reliability through parameter adaptation.
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
Enables reliable data transmission without additional fibers, offering a sufficient bandwidth for control and video data, and providing redundancy in case of primary system failures, thus ensuring continuous operation of subsea devices.
Implementation Method 1
The invention uses umbilical or other power conductors coupled to interfaces such as power line modems to effect uni- and/or bi-directional data transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a subsea device comprises a complimentary set of data communication interfaces operatively coupled to an electronically interrogatable component of a subsea device and a remotely disposed device controller via a power conductor which defined data pathway between the subsea device and the remotely disposed device controller. A data transceiver is operatively coupled to the electronically interrogatable component and the remotely disposed device controller via the complimentary set of data communication interfaces over the power conductor. In configurations, control and/or telemetry or other data may be unidirectionally and/or bidirectionally transmitted between the electronically interrogatable component of a subsea device and a remotely disposed device controller. In configurations, data faults may be monitored in a primary data path and, if a fault detected, control and/or telemetry or other data transmission switched to the power conductor data pathway, manually and/or automatically.