SBIR-STTR Award

When an AUV is underwater it cannot receive a GPS signal and it cannot communicate utilizing radio. This is a problem for users of AUVs. The ability to communicate rapidly and in real time, while still submerged could be very beneficial to many applications. A towed tethered antenna that will support two-way RF communication and GPS reception would greatly enhance the ID and localization capabilities of all AUVs. The immediate benefit to AUV users would be real time commands to the vehicle, which would allow mission changes on the fly 0x9D . Accurate location of the vehicle while patrolling in smaller bodies of water and harbors will now be possible because of accurate GPS fixes.

Benefit:
Brooke Ocean Technology USA has 20 years of experience of designing and building underwater tow bodies. We currently sell a complete product line of BOT WING vehicles. Having a towed antenna system would fit well in to our product line mix, and we can offer this system to existing AUV users since our designs will be modular. Partnering with Bluefin Robotics will gain us entry into the commercial and naval AUV world which should help create substantial business opportunities.

Keywords:
Antennas, Antennas, UUV, Tow Body, tow cable, Communications, GPS, AUV

When any Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) is underwater it cannot receive a GPS signal and it cannot communicate by utilizing RF. This lack of connectivity greatly impacts all operations and is a problem for all users of UUVs. Brooke Ocean Technology USA Inc. has proposed a solution, a towed buoyant antenna, that would give UUVs the ability to communicate rapidly and in real time while submerged. This real time two-way communications and exact positioning will be beneficial in several applications. The ability to demonstrate the real time transmission of large amounts of data to an underwater vehicle while underway is our goal. A very low drag tethered antenna that will support two-way RF communication (WiFi), satellite communication, and GPS reception will greatly enhance the ID and localization capabilities of all UUVs. The added advantage is the UUV with a towed antenna will be much more maneuverable underwater than it would be on the surface. In addition, successful creation of a family of towed antennas, the first being conformal to the 12 ¾-inch diameter body, when stowed, will be of great interest to the ever-growing world of autonomous vehicles in use around the world.

Keywords:
Real Time Communications, Real Time Communications, Uuv, Gps, Wifi, Towed Antenna, Auv, Buoyant Towbody