Control Station Analysis of the Bluefin 21 AUV

Jason Bach

          ASCI 605 – Unmanned Systems Sensing, Perception, and Processing

         Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

10/16/2016

             

            The General Dynamics Bluefin 21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is very capable and highly efficient and able to carry multiple payload and sensor variations. It is a deep water AUV able to operate for extended times below the surface of the ocean. It can be used for surveys, search and salvage, oceanography, exploration, mine countermeasures, and discovery of unexploded ordinance when needed (General Dynamics, 2016). It has become well known through its efforts in the search for Malaysia Airlines flight 370 (Makinen, 2014). The vehicle itself is over 16 feet long, 21 inches in diameter, weighs 1,650 pounds, and go to depths of nearly 15,000 feet (General Dynamics, 2016). It is powered by a 13.5 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack with an endurance of 25 hours with a regular payload. Figure 1 displays the Bluefin 21 below.

Figure 1. The Bluefin 21 AUV. Adapted from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21

            The control station of the Bluefin 21consists of the operator’s laptop or a ruggedized version of the laptop provided in the package purchased. The software used is Bluefin’s Operator Tool Suite that interfaces between the AUV and operator for all parts of the mission (General Dynamics, 2016). It is operated on any Windows based system and includes everything necessary to manage the AUV. Detailed mission planning can be handled before or during the mission with vehicle status display, ship position display, and any other displays set by the operator. Figure 2 shows the display below. Specific commands from the customer can also be sent to the payload interface. Communication and data transfer is done with acoustic modem, RF modem, Wi-Fi, and Iridium with much data stored onboard and downloaded after the mission.

Figure 2. Mission Planner software display. Adapted from http://www.bluefinrobotics.

com/technology/operator-software/

A dashboard tool allows the operator shipboard to track the vehicles progress and monitor its sensors to perform any maintenance or corrective procedures while in operation (General Dynamics, 2016). The dashboard uses the highest bandwidth channel available allowing flow of constant information between the operator and AUV.  Figure 3 below displays a dashboard screen shot sample. The Lantern is Bluefin 21’s software that supports its post mission data display and analysis for the operator and customer (General Dynamics, 2016).

 

Figure 3. Dasboard display. Adapted from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/technology/operator-software/

It combines and displays all data collected such as survey tracks, user annotations, and vehicle data. Detected targets can be measured for height and width while also obtaining exact positional accuracy of the target (General Dynamics, 2016). Figure 4 below shows the Lantern display.

Figure 3. Lantern display. Adapted from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/technology/operator-software/

Negative Issues

            Better acoustic communications and improved navigation technology would be the only current weaknesses of the Bluefin 21. Compass navigation and inertial navigation systems are the main navigation sources with research being done with acoustic transponders mounted to the vehicle for greater autonomy in certain isolated areas (General Dynamics, 2016).

Conclusion/Recommended Changes

            The Bluefin 21 is a very versatile AUV that currently employs a standard laptop display for its user interface. All pertinent information is available throughout its mission timeframe with much of its mission data recorded and downloaded after completion. Virtual reality goggle technology would be a recommended option for the operator with the possibility of a responsive joystick for certain operations. The acoustic communications link would have to be analyzed and possibly improved upon to ensure constant real time displays for the operator. Sensor payloads would have to support this also with responsive wider ranges to view the current surroundings while using the VR goggle system. This operation may have to have some depth or other restrictions to enable a constant clear signal in the ocean environment. The Bluefin 21 is a capable platform that will advance with technological improvements when they are possible.

References

 General Dynamics. (2016). Bluefin Robotics. Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com 

           /vehicles-batteries-and-services/bluefin-21

Makinen, J. (2014, April 14). Malaysia airlines plane search goes underwater. Los Angeles

Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2014/apr/14/world/la-fg-malaysia-bluefin-20140415