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OBSERVATION CLASS ROV IMAGING & LASER PROFILING SYSTEM

A single-swath system for mid-size inspection and observation class ROVs, Scout is developed for high-speed linear or area-based surveys and for structural inspections.

Scout is a fully synchronised system delivering precision still imaging, laser profiling and video. With a specification list matching that of the Hunter AUV system, it also offers the additional functionality of a forward-looking video camera with lighting. This operates independently of the stills and laser cameras through time synchronisation. Producing high-quality video without the need to ‘stop and look’, inspection time is considerably reduced. To provide extra flexibility, Scout can be supplied on a frame or integrated directly into the vehicle.

Power and Communications

  • Scout junction bottle SC for stills, video and laser multiplexing.
  • Single fibre to the surface.
  • Topside rack for configuration GUI, still images and laser viewers.
  • Optional expansion to Cathx Ocean data visualisation and processing tools.

Unique Technical Features Deliver Unparalleled Efficiencies

Fully synchronised, single-swath system providing precision still imaging, laser profiling and video.

Technical Features

INTEGRATED PRECISION IMAGING

  • STILL IMAGING
    UHD stills resolution of 4098 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
    HD-SDI resolution of 1080 pixels at 30 fps and 67° FOV video.

EXTENSIVE OPERATIONAL RANGE

  • Operational heights of 2 to 10 metres (depending on light configurations).
  • 1:1 swath to height ratio, single-swath system with swaths of up to 10 metres possible.

ADVANCED CALIBRATION

  • Fully calibrated system including post-acquisition recalibration capability.

HIGH-PRECISION OUTPUTS

  • High-resolution still, laser and video imaging enables millimetre precision. The system operates at distances up to 10 metres and speeds of 5 knots.

Efficiencies

REDUCED OPERATION TIMES

  • High visibility and extended range enable non-stop, high-speed 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

  • 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.

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.

Stills Subsystem

PULSAR I
Explore Hardware

FAST FLY STILLS
Explore Hardware

Video Subsystem

PULSAR II
Explore Hardware

FAST FLY VIDEO
Explore Hardware

Laser Subsystem

FAST MODEL
Explore Hardware

FAST FLY STILLS
Explore Hardware

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.

CASE STUDY

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Overcoming the Challenges of Poor Visibility in the Underwater Environment

READ THE CASE STUDY