Page 56: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2011)

56 MTR March 2011 products

Sidus Solutions developed the

Seafloor Observer system, featuring remote positioning, lighting, video and still photography through a sin- gle Ethernet cable at depths up to 3000 meters. The system shown was recently supplied to a major offshore communications corporation and was deployed 4Q 2010. Traditionally, most deepwater video imaging sys- tems have required additional hard- ware, such as a separate junction bot- tle or subsea node to distribute video and telemetry signals via Ethernet.

Where previous solutions have also required several software packages to interface with various imaging com- ponents, the Seafloor Observer is controlled via a single Ethernet cable, from a single console through an intuitively laid out Graphical User

Interface (GUI). Additionally, this system allows other operators at addi- tional remote sites to control all func- tions through a web interface – with- out the need for any special hardware or software installed at the remote site.

The Seafloor Observer imaging consists of an 8 megapixel digital still/video color camera, a 200 W/s strobe and a low light sensitive, opti- cally corrected video camera. Remote users can fine tune image settings, including exposure and annotations, capture still images and download to the surface via Ethernet from around the world. MPEG-4 video resolu- tion, compression and video frame rate is remotely adjustable for opti- mized performance in bandwidth limited applications. Integrated red scaling lasers allows for image scaling and object distance measurement.

Through integration of heavy duty stepping technology and extremely low backlash gearing, pan and tilt functionality is provided by the

SS252 robotic positioning device.

Delivering an impressive 65 ft-lbs (90

Nm) of torque on each axis, the

Seafloor Observer offers high accura- cy, 12 bit positioning feedback at speeds up to 40 degrees per second.

Whether tracking a slow moving sea slug or chasing a quick cutthroat eel, the system can provide smooth and responsive dynamic monitoring.

Illumination is provided by two dimmable 3000 lumen LED flood lights and six 3000 lumen LED spot lights. These shock resistant LED lights have an operating life of over 50,000 hours and can be configured in a variety of color temperatures and wavelengths. Lighting components can also be remotely turned on and off in various combinations to offer optimized image exposure and low, medium and high power operating modes. The system is designed to operate on supplied voltages of 24VDC @ 150 Watts maximum for all components, except the six LED spot lights which operate at 375VDC @ 1000 Watts maximum. Input power is through a single multi-cable that carries both voltages as well as

CAT-5 Ethernet.

Email: info@ sidus-solutions.com

Sidus Develops Seafloor Observer System