The third generation of Kongsberg Maritime’s High Precision Acoustic Positioning and Navigation System – HiPAP, is now available.
The new system, HiPAP 502, is smaller, lighter, more durable and accurate, according to the manufacturer. It is designed to support the performance and safety of offshore support, survey, subsea construction and scientific vessel operations.
HiPAP 502 is the latest in a line of High Precision Acoustic Positioning Systems from Kongsberg Maritime. Simrad, a Kongsberg Maritime brand introduced the first HiPAP 500 in 1996 and the Second generation (HiPAP 501) was released as a Kongsberg Maritime product in 2007. Now in 2015 the third generation is released with major advances.
Kongsberg said the new HiPAP 502 specifications deliver 100 percent better angle accuracy, with improved range capability to 5000 m. 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.
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. It also uses new Low Power Transceiver (LPT) boards with better filtering and signal processing providing an extra 5-6 dB more sensitivity.
“We are able to offer improved operation with HiPAP 502 thanks to our continuous development of the technology platform, making use of new electronic hardware and software, along with new electronic components,” said Morten Berntsen, Sales Director, Kongsberg Maritime.