WORK CLASS & HIGH-SPEED ROV ADVANCED
IMAGING & LASER PROFILING SYSTEM
Compatible with large work class and high-speed ROVs or large AUVs, Pathfinder is a dual-swath system for use in missions where intervention is required at greater depths or when accelerated data collection is necessary
Pathfinder is a fully integrated, laser and imaging system with co-registered laser, stills and video. Consisting of two Scout stills and laser configurations on a large work class frame, alongside a single video camera, the system is designed to enable slower, large vehicles to collect dense dual data sets with millimetre precision. To offset the reduction in speed when compared with lighter observation class ROVs, this system gathers twice the density of data in each single transit. Featuring forward-looking synchronised video for when high-speed piloting is possible, Pathfinder can achieve double-swath data collection at speeds of up to 5 knots.
Power and Communications
- Full multiplex bottle for stills, video and laser integration.
- Single fibre to the surface.
- Communications via Ethernet.
- Topside server and configuration GUI for set up and application.
- Trigger timing configured through GUI and junction bottle.
Unique Technical Features Deliver Unparalleled Efficiencies
Fully integrated, dual-swath laser and imaging system with co-registered laser, stills and video.
Technical Features
INTEGRATED PRECISION IMAGING
- Still imaging – UHD stills resolution of 4096 x 2304 pixels up to 7 fps. HD stills resolution of 2048 x 1152 pixels up to 30 fps.
- Laser imaging – Laser resolution of 100,000 points and 50 lines per second. Dense 3D laser point cloud data, synchronised with stills and video.
- Video imaging – HD-SDI resolution of 1080 pixels at 30 fps and 67° FOV video.
- Sequential imaging – 1 to 5 light pulses per millisecond, interleaved with laser and other sources, allow for high-speed vehicle operation.
EXTENSIVE OPERATIONAL RANGE
- Operational heights of 2 to 10 metres (depending on light configurations).
- 2:1 swath to height ratio, dual-swath system (excluding overlap).
ADVANCED CALIBRATION
- Fully calibrated system, including post-acquisition recalibration capability.
HIGH-PRECISION OUTPUTS
- High-resolution still, laser and video imaging enables submillimetre precision. The system operates at distances up to 10 metres and speeds of 5 knots.
Efficiencies
REDUCED OPERATION TIMES
- Double density data acquisition enables faster operations, delivering time and cost efficiencies.
REAL TIME QUALITY ASSURANCE
- Real-time still, laser and video data feeds allow instantaneous quality assurance and post-acquisition calibration, ensuring results are not compromised by misalignment or changes in environmental conditions.
WORKFLOW OPTIMISATION
- T Time-stamped, co-registered, fully integrated still, laser and video metadata, output in EXIF format, improves post-process workflow.
- Three-tiered data collection and integration with other sensors produce further workflow efficiencies.
FULL COMPATIBILTY
- Compatibility with clients’ existing workflows and with Cathx Ocean eventing, positioning and Solid software, optimises efficiencies in data processing.
- Integration with conventional WCROV and high-speed systems, offers wider flexibility.
EXPLORE SYSTEM
Click and drag the 3D model for a 360° rotation.
The system is made up of three subsystems and each one is colour coded.
These colours correspond with the subsystem descriptions below the 3D model.
EXPLORE HARDWARE
Click on the tabs below to view hardware and features
PULSAR I
The Pulsar I Strobe light is an Ultra High output LED-based Strobe light. The unique design of the strobe light means it can provide up to 150,000 lumen output power up to 10 millisecond pulse widths with low continuous power consumption from vehicle. The power bottle spreads out the instantaneous power delivered to the LEDs as a low power requirement from vehicle. This is achieved using a microprocessor controlled capacitor charge and discharge system within the power bottle. When used in conjunction with the Fast Fly Stills camera, these fast ultra-bright exposures allow users to extend imaging range and vehicle speed. It also extends the highest quality still imaging capabilities to smaller vehicles and AUVs.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO
EASY SETUP AND CONTROL
- User-configurable resolution and frame rates.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OUTPUTS
- Pixel resolution below 1 millimetre.
- Frame rates from 7 fps for UHD stills and 30 fps for HD stills.
CONSISTENT FOCUS
- Range-based focus (external or longer range input)
LOW SCATTER, HIGH SPEED
- Synchronised camera and light, creating pulses at less than 2 microseconds.
CLEAR VISIBILITY
- Full flat-field correction with less than 5% non-uniformity.
WORKS WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS
- Time-stamped in EXIF.
- External sensor inputs in EXIF.
PULSAR II
The Pulsar II Strobe light is an Ultra High output LED-based Strobe light. The unique design of the Strobe light means it can provide up to 150,000 lumen output power up to 10 millisecond pulse widths. The LED Panel is divided in to 4 separate panels to deliver a more dynamic lighting profile.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO
LOW SCATTER, HIGH SPEED
- Up to 30 light pulses per second with less than 2 microsecond exposure.
- Dramatic reduction in back scatter from particles.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OUTPUTS
- 30 fps, 1080p HD video with no pulsing visible.
CLEAR VISIBILITY
- Increased range of visibility.
- Motion blur eliminated.
- ‘Clean’ video.
HIGHLY EFFICIENT
- Compatible with high-speed operations.
- Reduction in zoom or stoppage times.
- Faster transit times.
FAST FLY STILLS
Fast Fly Stills is a 12.5MP camera designed as a complete image capture and storage system. The camera manages all the imaging needs of a vehicle with minimal impact on the vehicle control systems. This camera has a sensor area typically twenty times larger than conventional subsea HD cameras and a fast dual-ARM processor. The Fast Fly’s high sensitivity, combined with low exposures and global shutter imaging, produces the sharpest still image detail available from a moving vehicle.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO
EASY SETUP AND CONTROL
- User-configurable resolution and frame rates.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OUTPUTS
- Pixel resolution below 1 millimetre.
- Frame rates from 7 fps for UHD stills and 30 fps for HD stills.
CONSISTENT FOCUS
- Range-based focus (external or longer range input)
LOW SCATTER, HIGH SPEED
- Synchronised camera and light, creating pulses at less than 2 microseconds.
CLEAR VISIBILITY
- Full flat-field correction with less than 5% non-uniformity.
WORKS WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS
- Time-stamped in EXIF.
- External sensor inputs in EXIF.
FAST FLY VIDEO
Fast Fly Video is focused on high quality video for vehicle piloting and sharp stills for subsea inspection workflows. This camera range has a sensor area typically twenty times larger than conventional subsea HD cameras and a fast dual-ARM processor. The Fast Fly Video’s sensitivity, combined with low exposures and progressive scan imaging, produces the sharpest image detail available from a moving vehicle. Delivers superior subsea HD Video compatible with existing HD Infrastructure and supporting a wide range of video outputs. Capable of dual mode operation – capturing video and stills simultaneously.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO
VIDEO CAMERA & STROBE LIGHTING
- There are many limitations associated with traditional video cameras for AUV and ROV platforms. Motion and continuous lighting can create poor visibility due to scatter from particles and motion blur. Illumination range is generally compromised and high powered-lighting is necessary to achieve any adequate clarity.
- Using short exposure times for each frame, R300 overcomes these restraints. When combined with Cathx Ocean A8 strobe lighting, it delivers even greater benefits.
LOW SCATTER, HIGH SPEED
- Up to 30 light pulses per second with less than 2 microsecond exposure.
- Dramatic reduction in back scatter from particles.
HIGH-RESOLUTION OUTPUTS
- 30 fps, 1080p HD video with no pulsing visible.
CLEAR VISIBILITY
- Increased range of visibility.
- Motion blur eliminated.
- ‘Clean’ video.
HIGHLY EFFICIENT
- Compatible with high-speed operations.
- Reduction in zoom or stoppage times.
- Faster transit times.
FAST MODEL
A Combined Stills plus Laser processing camera and includes the laser projector module. The Green line laser is a 520nm long range laser which produces a straight line with uniform intensity over a long range due to its optimal wavelength for water penetration. This system can capture UHD Still images and laser profiles in a rapid sequence providing laser xyz data with co-registered still images
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO
EASY SETUP AND CONTROL
- User-configurable GUI.
- Real-time stills monitoring GUI for image and thumbnail review (ROV systems).
HIGH-RESOLUTION, REAL-TIME DISPLAY
- 50 lines per second at 2000 pixels per line.
- Cathx Ocean interface offers real-time display.
- Noise filtering
COMPREHENSIVE METADATA ACQUISITION
- Individual Nav tag for every image.
- EXIF data tags for Nav and other sensors.
- Automated range and scaling in real time.
- Sensor-registered, environmental optimisation modes for turbidity, white balance, colour, local optimisation, regional sea and position-based settings. ??
- PPS or NTP synchronisation.
INTELLIGENT IMAGING
- Full autonomous mode – fast API protocol for camera query and control.
- Real-time quality factors (laser), with closed loop controls.
- Range-based focus from laser or external range sensors.
- Sequential imaging, multi-source (and spectrum) imaging.
- Dual video and stills mode (ROV systems).
- Dual-camera, anti-shadowing function.
COMPATIBLE TECHNOLOGY
- Real-time laser profiles displayed in EIVA, QUINSy or similar.
- API for third party integration.
CONVENIENT STORAGE
- Direct write to NAS over Ethernet.
- On-board compression.
