Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (2024)

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Maxime Le Roy

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Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (2)Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (3)

Equipping over 80% of the subsea vehicles used in the Energy and Geoscience industries, iXblue FOG (Fiber-Optic Gyroscope)-based Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Attitude Heading and Reference Systems (AHRS) are accurate and maintenance-free navigation systems that offer unrivaled performance and power robust navigation for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).

Powering unrivaled navigation performance for ROV and AUV

iXblue complete range of subsea Inertial Navigation Systems have been designed to meet operators’ various needs in terms of performance and depth rating. Offering AHRS and INS in OEM and titanium versions, iXblue subsea navigation solutions cover the full spectrum of performance needed for subsea projects, from navigation to survey grade. A performance that can further be enhanced with the company’s INS/DVL tight-coupling solutions, as well as DelphINS post-processing software. A trusted partner on which to rely for highly reliable and accurate navigation, iXblue boasts over 3,000 subsea navigation systems in operation worldwide.

Octans NanoOctans Nano OEMOctans SubseaRovins NanoPhins Compact C3RovinsPhins 9 CompactPhins SubseaPhins Compact C7
Navigation-grade AHRSNavigation-grade AHRSSurvey-grade AHRSCompact navigation-grade INSCompact navigation-grade INS for AUVSurvey-grade INSCompact INS for UUV’sHigh performance navigation deep-water survey-grade INSCompact survey-grade INS for AUV
Heading accuracy0.50.50.10.10.10.040.070.010.01
DVL-aided optimal performance in typical conditions (%TD – CEP50)n/an/an/a0.040.040.020.020.010.01
Roll&Pitch accuracy0.10.10.010.050.050.010.010.010.01
Weight in water (kg)5.51.66.25.51.66.21.2133.5
Depth rating (m)6,0003,0006,000n/a3,000n/a6,000n/a
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Octans NanoOctans Nano OEMOctans SubseaRovins NanoPhins Compact C3RovinsPhins 9 CompactPhins SubseaPhins Compact C7
Navigation-grade AHRSNavigation-grade AHRSSurvey-grade AHRSCompact navigation-grade INSCompact navigation-grade INS for AUVSurvey-grade INSCompact INS for UUV’sHigh performance navigation deep-water survey-grade INSCompact survey-grade INS for AUV
Heading accuracy0.50.50.10.10.10.040.070.010.01
DVL-aided optimal performance in typical conditions (%TD – CEP50)n/an/an/a0.040.040.020.020.010.01
Roll&Pitch accuracy0.10.10.010.050.050.010.010.010.01
Weight in water (kg)5.51.66.25.51.66.21.2133.5
Depth rating (m)6,0003,0006,000n/a3,000n/a6,000n/a
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Increased performance and flexibility through INS/DVL tight-coupling

Striving to always bring increased efficiency to companies operating in the subsea world, and to enhance its Inertial Navigation Systems positioning performance, iXblue partners with DVL manufacturers Nortek and Teledyne RD Instruments to offer INS/DVL tight-coupling solutions. Benefitting from iXblue’s field-proven FOG technology and from the latest DVL developments that Nortek and Teledyne RD Instruments have been working on, this solution combines the best navigation technologies available today and offers a scalable, plug & play solution which performance and characteristics can be best suited to the user’s needs.

Offering modularity and flexibility, it enables users to choose the INS and DVL combination best suited to their needs in terms of accuracy, volume, weight and altitude, without compromising on the solution’s ease-of-use. Additionally, integration on the vehicle is made flexible thanks to the possibility to separate both the INS and DVL and individually place them anywhere and in any convenient orientation.

Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (22)

Worldwide leader in harsh environments

Benefiting from FOG technology

iXblue gyrocompasses and Inertial Navigation Systems all benefit from the Fiber-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) technology that iXblue pioneered. Offering solid state, strap-down systems with no mechanical or moving parts, iXblue FOG technology offers maintenance-free solutions with very low cost-of-ownership.

Complete mastery of the technology

Mastering the full value chain of the inertial navigation technologies it develops, iXblue designs and manufactures, in-house, every component that are integrated into its systems, from its FOG gyroscopes to its own accelerometers, electronics and Kalman filters. This vertical integration allows iXblue to push the limits of its INS and gyrocompasses technology to enhance their performance to the best of their possibilities.

Advanced algorithms and Kalman filter

Leveraging this unique mastery of all its navigation systems components, iXblue, acting as both a system manufacturer and integrator, is able to develop the best-in-class real-time and post-processing algorithms for its inertial navigation systems. This translates into the design of the most advanced navigation systems available on the market today.

A robust inertial technology

Reliability is key when operating in the extreme environments of the subsea sector, and iXblue comprehensive range of subsea gyrocompasses and Inertial Navigation Systems is trusted worldwide for its high accuracy and reliability. iXblue navigation systems have thus been operated, for the past 20 years, in the most challenging environments such as subsea or long duration space applications.

iXblue systems have furthermore been qualified to withstand the extremely harsh environments of land defense, with its extreme vibrations, shocks and temperature changes and are now operated by over 60 navies and armies worldwide, testifying of the robustness and reliability of iXblue solutions.

500000 hours of MTBF

Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (23)iXblue INS and AHRS have cumulated over 3 million functioning hours. Using standard telecom technology components with proven lifetime and reliability, iXblue navigation systems – including their three fiber-optic gyroscopes, three accelerometers and system electronics – have demonstrated over 150 000 hours of Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), with the FOG itself boasting an MTBF higher than 500 000 hours, making iXblue navigation systems highly reliable solutions.

Low-power consumption

iXblue continuously works on the power consumption of its INS systems. This is especially important for AUV manufacturers and operators who seek to save watts, while keeping high data processing power.

An open ecosystem for easy integration

Interfacing

Integration of external sensors (DVL, pressure sensors, Sound Velocity Probes…) is made easy thanks to a wide range of protocols offered, both in inputs and outputs. Ascii, NEMEA, and binary telegrams are available through a system embedded web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) or accessible through control command for AUVs.

Third-party friendly

As per the company’s open philosophy, iXblue inertial navigation systems all benefit from an open format protocol, making them compatible with third-party products and solutions. This results into INS/AHRS that are easy to integrate into existing pool of equipment and operational fields.

ITAR-free

iXblue in-house manufacturing of all its INS/AHRS ensures the navigation company’s independence in relation to strategic suppliers and allows iXblue to offer ITAR-free products that are easy to export worldwide.

A solution for all subsea vehicles

Scalable navigation solutions


Offering a complete suite of scalable AHRS and INS which performance and characteristics cover the full spectrum of users’ needs and requirements, iXblue subsea navigation solutions can easily be integrated into various subsea vehicles such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) or Tow-fish.

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Flexible vehicle integration

iXblue subsea navigation systems offer integrators and operators a versatile solution available either in titanium housing or in EM version for applications requiring bespoke vehicle integration.

Rovins: One single product, a sea of performance

In order to answer operators, surveyors and rental companies diverse and evolving performance requirements and operational needs relating to attitude, heading, roll and pitch, iXblue enables owners of its Octans Subsea survey-grade AHRS, to easily upgrade their systems to the higher performance of the Rovins INS. For this upgrade, a simple activation license key is needed to update the existing Octans Subsea software to the Rovins’.

Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (27)

News & Customer Stories

  • News18 Apr 2024MaritimeEelume partners with Exail to equip all-terrain AUVs with advanced navigation systemsExail has been selected by Eelume, a leading provider of innovative underwater technology solutions, to supply its Phins Compact C3 Inertial Navigation System (INS) for…Learn more
  • News1 Feb 2024MaritimeSapura enhances subsea capabilities with acquisition of Exail Rovins Nano inertial navigation systemsSapura, a leading Brazilian provider of subsea services, has recently acquired eight units of Exail Rovins Nano Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). Integrated into Sapura’s fleet…Learn more
  • Customer story4 Oct 2023MaritimeExail as top choice for underwater equipment rental companiesExail had record years in 2022 and 2023 in the rental market, securing multiple contracts with rental companies globally. With the objective of providing their…Learn more
  • Customer story16 Mar 2022MaritimePowering autonomous subsea inspection for offshore wind farmsLearn more
  • News15 Mar 2022MaritimeAshtead Technology strengthens its rental fleet with investment in iXblue technologiesThe investment includes the addition of iXblue’s Gaps M5 USBL acoustic positioning systems which are now available to rent throughout the company’s nine international technology…Learn more
  • Customer story26 Jan 2021MaritimePelagic Research Services integrates iXblue’s Rovins Nano on its Odysseus 6000m ROV for a mission for Ocean Network CanadaLearn more
  • News24 Sep 2020MaritimeVallourec, FORSSEA Robotics and iXblue join forces to facilitate the inspection of subsea pipelines using drones and digital technologyVallourec, FORSSEA Robotics and iXblue have developed a pipeline inspection solution combining subsea drones and the use of visual markers, removing the need for surface…Learn more
  • Customer story23 Mar 2020MaritimeIncreased performance and flexibility brought by INS/DVL tight-couplingLearn more
  • Customer story12 Mar 2020MaritimeBringing operational efficiency to the Energy industryLearn more
  • News4 Sep 2019MaritimeiXblue signs MoU with 2G Robotics to enhance small ROVs inspection capabilitiesiXblue and 2G Roboticsoffer new survey skid for Inspection Class ROVs. This all-in-one integrated skid will deliver high accuracy inspection capabilities on small ROVs, enabling…Learn more
  • News25 Feb 2019MaritimeOceanscan-MST chooses iXblue’s inertial navigation systems to equip its LAUVsiXblue’s Phins Compact Series has been selected by OceanScan-MST, the Portugal-based manufacturer of the Lightweight, cost effective AUV (LAUV), to equip 3 new vehicles. Learn more
  • News23 Apr 2018Maritime4000-meter manned submersible for Titanic survey expedition equipped with iXblue’s inertial navigation systems and USBL subsea positioning solutioniXblue and OceanGate, Inc. are joining forces to conduct the first manned submersible expedition to the wreck of the RMS Titanic since 2005.Learn more
  • News4 Mar 2017Maritime3D at Depth and iXblue develop inertial navigation system aided LiDAR data collection technology for subsea applicationsInitial Deep water Trial Demonstrates Time Saving for High-Resolution Subsea Mapping and MetrologiesLearn more
  • News1 Jun 2016MaritimeiXblue launches the Phins Compact Series, offering a full range of INS for all AUV typesLearn more
  • News21 Mar 2016MaritimeiXblue participates to the expedition to the iconic wreck of Andrea DoriaLearn more

Downloads

Octans – Datasheet

(242 KB)

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Octans Nano – Datasheet

(216 KB)

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Phins Compact Series – Datasheet

(325 KB)

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Phins Subsea – Datasheet

(311 KB)

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Rovins – Datasheet

(207 KB)

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Rovins Nano – Datasheet

(242 KB)

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Subsea Positioning Brochure

(1 MB)

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Inertial Navigation for Subsea Operations - iXblue (2024)

FAQs

How accurate is the inertial navigation system? ›

A well-integrated INS–DVL system can provide navigation accuracy better than 0.1% of distance traveled. Thus a vehicle traveling 100 km will know its position with an accuracy better than 100 m at the end of the run.

What is the difference between IMU and inertial navigation system? ›

What's the difference between an IMU and an INS? The IMU (inertial measuring unit) is essentially the sensor subsystem of an INS (inertial navigation system). The INS takes the raw outputs from the IMU, processes them, and calculates changes in an object's relative motion.

How does an inertial navigation system work? ›

The inertial navigation system (INS) is a self-contained navigation technique in which measurements provided by accelerometers and gyroscopes are used to track the position and orientation of an object relative to a known starting point, orientation and velocity.

What is the drift rate of the inertial navigation system? ›

The most precise inertial navigation sensors have been designed for use in nuclear submarines and intercontinental missiles. The most precise sensor unit was the Advanced Inertial Reference Sphere (AIRS), installed in ballistic missiles in the 70's. It has a drift rate of 1.5 x 10-5 º/ hour.

What are the disadvantages of inertial navigation system? ›

Disadvantages of Inertial Navigation

Cost: They can be expensive to purchase and maintain. Sensitivity to errors: They are sensitive to measurement errors from the accelerometers and gyroscopes. These errors can accumulate over time, leading to errors in the calculated position and orientation of the object.

Can you jam inertial navigation system? ›

Inertial navigation systems are autonomous after initialization, do not rely on satellite connectivity and can convey more granular data than a GPS device used alone. Moreover, they are resistant to radar jamming and deception, as they are self-contained.

Do aircraft still use inertial navigation? ›

Today, all commercial aircraft use inertial reference systems to get passengers safely from Point A to Point B.

What are the disadvantages of IMU sensor? ›

Disadvantages of IMUs
  • It can drift over time. The accuracy of IMU measurements can degrade over time due to drift, which means that the IMU may slowly lose its ability to accurately measure the object's orientation, velocity, and acceleration.
  • They are susceptible to noise. ...
  • Require calibration.

Who invented the inertial navigation system? ›

Though inertial navigation emerged nearly simultaneously out of several different programs in the United States and Great Britain, the person most associated with the creation of practical inertial navigation is Charles Stark Draper.

What are the two types of inertial navigation systems? ›

There are two fundamentally different types of inertial navigation systems: gimbaling systems and strapdown systems. A typical gimbaling inertial navigation system, such as might be used on board a missile, uses three gyroscopes and three accelerometers.

What are the errors in INS? ›

INS errors are classified as “Bounded errors” and “Unbounded errors”. An “Unbounded error” is an error that increases with time, an example being the distance gone error due to a ground speed error.

How does an inertial navigation system align? ›

If the heading is known, then the velocity detected by the INS will determine the local Latitude. if the Latitude is known then by detecting the Earth's rotation the system is able to align with True North. This alignment of position and orientation is an iterative process, each relying on the progress of the other.

What causes drift in IMU? ›

Gyroscopes are subject to bias instabilities, in which the initial zero reading of the gyroscope will cause drift over time due to integration of inherent imperfections and noise within the device. Bias repeatability can be calibrated across the known temperature range of the IMU.

What is the inertial navigation system RNAV? ›

RNAV can be defined as a method of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired course within the coverage of station-referenced navigation signals or within the limits of a self-contained system capability, or a combination of these.

What is GNSS inertial navigation? ›

A GNSS + INS (Inertial Navigation System) provides centimeter-level global positioning together with attitude angles (heading, roll and pitch) showing the object's 3D orientation and movement.

Which is the most accurate navigation system in world? ›

The exact number of satellites varies as older satellites are retired and replaced. Operational since 1978 and globally available since 1994, GPS is the world's most utilized satellite navigation system.

How accurate is the US GPS system? ›

Signal arrival time measurement

The position accuracy is primarily dependent on the satellite position and signal delay. , or approximately 10 nanoseconds for the C/A code. Since GPS signals propagate at the speed of light, this represents an error of about 3 meters. or about 30 centimeters.

How accurate is the navigation system? ›

Typically speaking, using GNSS and commercial grade GNSS receivers alone provides position accuracy within a radius of ~2 to 5 m. In non-critical applications, such as vehicle navigation systems and phone location, being within 5 m is likely okay.

What is the error in inertial navigation? ›

Many factors contribute to errors in an inertial navigation system. In-flight errors arise from imperfections in gyros, accelerometers and computers. Initial misalignment may cause additional errors.

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