MIMO module takes shape

Today I had a tour of the acoustics lab courtesy of Drs. Song and
Badiey. I was able to see the newly completed electronics payload
stack that Jing has been working on feverishly. In the first photo
here you can see clearly the 3 amplifier boards for the WHOI
micromodems. It is a tight squeeze to get everything into the payload
module always a case of trying to get 10 pounds of electronics into a
5 pound space. Not only has the electronics module been completed but
the team managed to come up with a mounting configuration for the
transducers inside the flooded section. In the second photo you can
see the end cap that provides bulkhead connector access between the
dry electronics module and the flooded section where the transducers
reside. 3 WHOI micromodem transducers are visible. Also there is a
port for the hydrophone array (up to 8 hydrophones can be supported).

This week the team will conduct bench top tests and we then hope to
test it in the UD pool next week then out in the reservoir and before
finding a ready site for tests out in the ocean.

The applications for this system are really exciting and I for one
can't wait to get into the testing phase.

AUVs on the Bay '09

Ecomapper on the beach and DORA and Rutgers Remus out running missions for NOAA AUV workshop.

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Ground truthing with ROV

One of the important requirements for any geophysical survey work is to obtain ground truthing of the targets seen in the remote geophysical data. Today we used a mini ROV (remote operated vehicle) to take close-up inspection video images of the seafloor in areas that we mapped with the AUV. Here in this photo we see Andrew Hamilton from UBC at the controls of the Videoray. Strong currents during peak stages of the tide proved to be quite challenging but we still managed to get some great shots at our sites through the day.

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Some days the weather wins

Best laid plans foiled by severe weather as a storm front passes through. Time for data processing.

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First Day of Bay AUV Ops!

Here is a picture of DORA wearing what looks like the shroud of Turin, wet towels to keep her cool after a long swim. She completed her first benthic mapping survey run in Broadkill Slough. The team gained a lot of experience in launch, recovery, and pinger tracking. Still some acomms performance issues to address.

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Loading up for DE Bay

The team worked late into the night working to prepare for this weeks operations on Delaware Bay mapping benthic habitats. Stay tuned for more updates.

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AUV in CCOM test tank

The AUV team gathered in the High Bay to test the Geoswath unit in the CCOM test tank. Today was filled with class room training on Geoswath, Fledermaus, and Geotexture. Tomorrow we return to Mendums Pond.

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ROV Mendums Pond

Dr. Doug Miller operating the inspection ROV at Mendums Pond during AUV training week.

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Mendums Pond Day One Highlights

Photo Highlights from Day One at Mendums Pond
Thanks to everyone for coming out and contributing to a great first day.

First Mendums Pond Mission!

Execution of the first mission at Mendums Pond 1230 mission out to middle of the lake then back to the pier.

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