Subsea UUV Inspection Data Segmentation for Low-Bandwidth Satellite Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The subsea oil and gas industry faces challenges in transmitting high-bandwidth inspection data from offshore locations to onshore stations due to low bandwidth in satellite communication, leading to delayed data analysis and increased costs and safety risks for offshore Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing subsea inspection data at an offshore location to produce low-resolution and high-resolution outputs, where the low-resolution output is transmitted in real-time over limited bandwidth links, and high-resolution data is stored for on-demand transfer, allowing for near-real-time data access and analysis by SMEs onshore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If satellite transmission is used for long-distance data transmission, then data can be transmitted from offshore to onshore, but the bandwidth is too low to handle high-rate data streams from inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data stream into multiple channels: a first data stream containing processed inspection data at reduced resolution for real-time transmission via satellite, and a second data stream containing raw or high-resolution data stored locally. This segmentation allows critical data to be transmitted within bandwidth constraints while preserving full-resolution data for later analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential processed inspection data via satellite communication, separating it from the full-resolution raw data. The processed data contains sufficient information for immediate assessment and decision-making, while the complete data set is stored locally and can be transmitted later when bandwidth is available or higher resolution is needed.
2Loss of time
If SMEs are located offshore to perform real-time analysis, then data can be analysed immediately, but costs and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of inspection data at the offshore location to generate a condensed, processed data stream that retains essential information for decision-making. This preliminary action enables onshore SMEs to conduct effective analysis without being physically present offshore, eliminating safety risks and accommodation costs while maintaining timely analysis capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a processed copy of the inspection data that contains sufficient information for SME analysis. This processed data stream is a simplified representation of the full-resolution data, optimized for transmission and analysis, allowing SMEs to perform their function using the copied data rather than requiring access to the complete high-resolution data set or physical presence offshore.
3Measurement precision
If high-definition 3D imaging and mosaicking are used, then inspection quality improves, but data bandwidth requirements exceed satellite transmission capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments inspection data into processed summaries for real-time transmission and complete high-resolution data for local storage. The processed data maintains sufficient quality for immediate assessment and decision-making, while the full-resolution 3D imaging and mosaicking results are preserved locally and can be transmitted later when bandwidth is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the transmitted data stream, delivering processed inspection data at a lower resolution suitable for satellite bandwidth constraints. The system preserves the capability to access and transmit full-resolution data when needed, effectively adapting the data quality parameter to match the transmission medium's capabilities while maintaining the option for high-quality analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing remote subsea inspection includes processing mission data from a UUV at an offshore location to produce a low-resolution output and a high-resolution output, automatically and in real time. The high-resolution output is stored at the offshore location while the low-resolution output is transmitted wirelessly across a low-bandwidth communication also automatically and in real time, to be reviewed by subject-matter experts at one or more onshore or inshore locations. Selected portions of the high-resolution output can be transmitted across the communication link to the subject-matter experts on demand. Data outputs can be transmitted across the communication link at a resolution adjusted automatically in accordance with the bandwidth measured to be available on that link.