Explorer AUV
Encyclopedia
Explorer Autonomous underwater vehicle
(AUV) is a Chinese AUV developed in the People's Republic of China
(PRC), first entering service in November 1994, and it should not be confused with another two Anglo-American AUVs that share the same name: the American Autonomous Benthic Explorer AUV (ABE) built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
, and the British Columbia
-based International Submarine Engineering built Canadian Explorer AUV, which is based on its earlier ARCS AUV. Explorer AUV is one of the projects of 863-512 subprogram of the 863 Program
in PRC, developed by a joint team of research and educational establishments including the 702nd Research Institute(中国船舶重工集团公司第702研究所) of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
(CSIC), Shenyang Institute of Automation(沈阳自动化所) of Chinese Academy of Science, Shipbuilding Engineering Institute(船舶工程学院) of Harbin Engineering University
(HEU), Institute of Underwater Engineering (水下工程研究所) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
(SHJTU), and other establishments totaling over a dozen. Mr. Feng Xisheng (封锡盛), a professor of Shipbuilding Engineering Institute of HEU was named at the general designer of Explorer AUV, while Mr. Xu Huangnan (徐芑南), a professor of School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering(船舶与海洋工程学院) of SHJTU and the general designer of 8A4 class ROUV
s, was named as the deputy general designer of Explorer AUV. Explorer AUV is the first AUV of PRC.
The brain of Explorer AUV is consisted of three computers, central control computer, positioning computer, and imagery computer. In addition to controlling the interface tracing the traveling path and the interface controlling the surveillance of the system, the central control computer also controls the interface controlling remotely operated module so that in addition to being able to operate as an AUV, the Explorer AUV can also be operated as a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV). To accurately provide the positional parameters of the Explore AUV in the water such as pitch, row, yaw, depth, distance and location, the navigational system of the Explorer AUV utilizes a number of methodologies, including GPS, Doppler Velocity Measurement, directional gyro, short baseline positioning, ultra short baseline positioning, visual tracking and fluxgate compass. Information provided by these subsystems are fed and processed by the navigational computer on board. The compressed underwater television images are handled by the imagery computer. These onboard electronics are powered by the main propulsion system consisted of lead – acid batteries with 120 V direct current, which is converted to 220 V alternate current to power the electronic equipment.
Communication system of Explorer AUV is consisted of surface communication subsystem and underwater communication subsystem, and the two are linked via acoustic communication module, which passed the information received from underwater communication computer and pass it on the central computer. The central control computer analyzes this information, including sending the compressed television imagery signals to imagery computer, which in turn, convert the information to display the image on the screen. The communication between the central control computer and positioning computer is achieved via RS-232
interface, while GPS information is received from the positioning computer via EIA-422
interface. In addition to sending the information to control the AUV, the central computer is also designed to communicate and interface the operating console on the mother ship when needed. The underwater communication system of Explorer AUV is consisted of two major components, the sonar controlling module and communication computer (via CPU). The sonar controlling module is tasked to control acoustic communication module, Doppler sonar, side-looking sonar, and other sonars, while communication computer is tasked to act as an interface between various onboard subsystems.
The sonar control module is also tasked to process the imagery data, compress the data, and communicate with the communication computer. Numerous sensors were installed on board Explorer AUV to provide the necessary information for the AUV to operate, and these environmental subsystems consisted of underwater cameras and sonar. Information gathered is recorded on board the AUV while is also passed to the operator console on the mother ship at the same time, and the camera is capable of store 250 high resolution photos. The information gathered for navigation is also used to control the AUV, and extensive built-in-diagnostic system can automatically fix minor problems, and alert the mother ship of major mishaps that cannot be fixed automatically, while directing the AUV to ascend to surface at the same time. The success of Explorer AUV provide the foundation for Chinese cooperation with Russia to jointly develop the next Chinese AUV, the WZODA AUV.
Specifications:
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
An autonomous underwater vehicle is a robot which travels underwater without requiring input from an operator. AUVs constitute part of a larger group of undersea systems known as unmanned underwater vehicles, a classification that includes non-autonomous remotely operated underwater vehicles...
(AUV) is a Chinese AUV developed in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(PRC), first entering service in November 1994, and it should not be confused with another two Anglo-American AUVs that share the same name: the American Autonomous Benthic Explorer AUV (ABE) built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a private, nonprofit research and higher education facility dedicated to the study of all aspects of marine science and engineering and to the education of marine researchers. Established in 1930, it is the largest independent oceanographic research...
, and the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
-based International Submarine Engineering built Canadian Explorer AUV, which is based on its earlier ARCS AUV. Explorer AUV is one of the projects of 863-512 subprogram of the 863 Program
863 Program
The 863 program or State High-Tech Development Plan is a program funded and administered by the government of the People's Republic of China intended to stimulate the development of advanced technologies in a wide range of fields for the purpose of rendering China independent of financial...
in PRC, developed by a joint team of research and educational establishments including the 702nd Research Institute(中国船舶重工集团公司第702研究所) of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
The China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation is one of the two largest shipbuilding conglomerates in China, the other being the China State Shipbuilding Corporation . It was formed by the Government of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1999 from companies spun off from CSSC. It is...
(CSIC), Shenyang Institute of Automation(沈阳自动化所) of Chinese Academy of Science, Shipbuilding Engineering Institute(船舶工程学院) of Harbin Engineering University
Harbin Engineering University
Harbin Engineering University was founded in 1953, in Harbin, China. It used to host the PLA Military Engineering Institute, China's foremost institute in that field. Following the deterioration of China's relations with the USSR after the Sino-Soviet border conflict, it divided into six...
(HEU), Institute of Underwater Engineering (水下工程研究所) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU), sometimes referred to as Shanghai Jiaotong University , is a top public research university located in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China...
(SHJTU), and other establishments totaling over a dozen. Mr. Feng Xisheng (封锡盛), a professor of Shipbuilding Engineering Institute of HEU was named at the general designer of Explorer AUV, while Mr. Xu Huangnan (徐芑南), a professor of School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering(船舶与海洋工程学院) of SHJTU and the general designer of 8A4 class ROUV
8A4 class ROUV
The 8A4 class ROUV is a remotely operated underwater vehicle , a Chinese ROUV used to perform various underwater tasks ranging from oil platform service to salvage and rescue missions...
s, was named as the deputy general designer of Explorer AUV. Explorer AUV is the first AUV of PRC.
The brain of Explorer AUV is consisted of three computers, central control computer, positioning computer, and imagery computer. In addition to controlling the interface tracing the traveling path and the interface controlling the surveillance of the system, the central control computer also controls the interface controlling remotely operated module so that in addition to being able to operate as an AUV, the Explorer AUV can also be operated as a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV). To accurately provide the positional parameters of the Explore AUV in the water such as pitch, row, yaw, depth, distance and location, the navigational system of the Explorer AUV utilizes a number of methodologies, including GPS, Doppler Velocity Measurement, directional gyro, short baseline positioning, ultra short baseline positioning, visual tracking and fluxgate compass. Information provided by these subsystems are fed and processed by the navigational computer on board. The compressed underwater television images are handled by the imagery computer. These onboard electronics are powered by the main propulsion system consisted of lead – acid batteries with 120 V direct current, which is converted to 220 V alternate current to power the electronic equipment.
Communication system of Explorer AUV is consisted of surface communication subsystem and underwater communication subsystem, and the two are linked via acoustic communication module, which passed the information received from underwater communication computer and pass it on the central computer. The central control computer analyzes this information, including sending the compressed television imagery signals to imagery computer, which in turn, convert the information to display the image on the screen. The communication between the central control computer and positioning computer is achieved via RS-232
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single-ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE and a DCE . It is commonly used in computer serial ports...
interface, while GPS information is received from the positioning computer via EIA-422
EIA-422
RS-422 is a technical standard that specifies electrical characteristics of a digital signalling circuit. Differential-mode signals can be sent at rates as high as 10 million bits per second, or may be sent on cables as long as 1200 metres. Some systems directly interconnect using RS 422 signals,...
interface. In addition to sending the information to control the AUV, the central computer is also designed to communicate and interface the operating console on the mother ship when needed. The underwater communication system of Explorer AUV is consisted of two major components, the sonar controlling module and communication computer (via CPU). The sonar controlling module is tasked to control acoustic communication module, Doppler sonar, side-looking sonar, and other sonars, while communication computer is tasked to act as an interface between various onboard subsystems.
The sonar control module is also tasked to process the imagery data, compress the data, and communicate with the communication computer. Numerous sensors were installed on board Explorer AUV to provide the necessary information for the AUV to operate, and these environmental subsystems consisted of underwater cameras and sonar. Information gathered is recorded on board the AUV while is also passed to the operator console on the mother ship at the same time, and the camera is capable of store 250 high resolution photos. The information gathered for navigation is also used to control the AUV, and extensive built-in-diagnostic system can automatically fix minor problems, and alert the mother ship of major mishaps that cannot be fixed automatically, while directing the AUV to ascend to surface at the same time. The success of Explorer AUV provide the foundation for Chinese cooperation with Russia to jointly develop the next Chinese AUV, the WZODA AUV.
Specifications:
- Length: 4.4 meter
- Width: 0.8 meter
- Height: 1.5 meter
- Weight: 2.2 ton
- Speed: > 4 kt
- Side-traveling speed: > 1 kt
- Diving speed: > 0.5 kt
- Maximum operating depth: 1 km
- Propulsion: Electrically powered propellers
- Power: lead – acid batteries