Kongsberg Maritime, with offices in Canada, USA, Mexico and Brazil, has released a new High Precision Acoustic Positioning and Navigation System (HiPAP). HiPAP 502 is smaller, lighter and more durable and accurate than previous models, making it a more substantial subsea position reference system. It is designed to support the performance and safety of offshore support, survey, subsea construction and scientific vessel operations.
The third generation HiPAP features a smaller and lighter transceiver unit, which is housed in a stainless steel cabinet and is less temperature sensitive so there is no requirement for extra cooling in warm environments. It also uses new Low Power Transceiver (LPT) boards with better filtering and signal processing providing an extra 5-6 dB more sensitivity. Due to improved sensitivity, the source level from the transponder can be less, which also increases battery endurance.
The new HiPAP 502 specifications deliver better angle accuracy, with improved range capability to 5000m. Angle accuracy is essential in SSBL (or USBL) positioning; the HiPAP 502 has an accuracy of 0.06 degrees vs the 0.12 degrees of the HiPAP 501.