Politolana, a new low cost towed vehicle designed for the characterization of the deep-sea floor

摘要: The Politolana sled, designed by the Santander IEO in collaboration with Marine Robotics Company, is a robust submarine towed vehicle to study deep-sea floor (Figure 1). operates hung of simple coaxial cable, available on every oceanographic ships hydrographic purposes, because that are not necessary expensive operations installation for special winches (with fiber optics cables, etc.) and deployment devices (LARS, frames, etc). bidirectional telemetry control different submerged instruments carried out using cable modem NEXUS MKE from MacArtney connect sled an industrial microcontroller carries following functions: RS232 serial ports Multiplexing data scientific connected (altimeter, CTD probe, compass, video still cameras control, rs232, sends surface correctly synchronized real time. Also receives orders switch ON/OFF all peripherals it (focuses, laser pointers, camera pictures, etc.). Besides, integrate power supplies feed it, allows carry time supervision tensions, current consumptions, state fuses, alarms, etc. In unit, 19” rack format computer, executes application which display received bottom unit operator screen 2). software save text file later laboratory, finally send vehicle. This us obtain simultaneously pictures video, georeferenced environmental variables. For this purpose, uses FullHD camera, installed angle 45° respect bottom, two LED last generation light (12600 lumens / 5800° Kelvin). records solid-state memory MTS visual transect incorporates 2 pointers green (532 nm wave length) facilitate scaling images. signal provided visible located 2), facilitates flight structurally complex areas, such as cold-water coral reefs. It also has system photogrammetry based Nikon D90 4 zenithal position. includes powerful electronic Subtronic strobe iTTL system, Seabird 37 probe characterize each image according features (pressure, temperature salinity) sensor heading, pitch roll. location obtained through USBL (Ultra Short Base Line) transponder HiPAP 500 Kongsberg system. can be operated up maximum 2000 m depth transects were navigating 1 knot speed at altitude between over sea floor. As powered duration limited batteries depletion. generates direct information deepsea accessible classic samplers (dredges, trawls, etc.), characterized presence vulnerable biological communities. high resolution digital better classification species video. more accurate, allowing estimate abundance percentage coating marine habitats. addition provides about complexity habitats, impact fishing gear complete listings faunal extractive sampling systems. One major utilities high-resolution maps management plans Protected Areas. Their operating costs needs qualified technical personnel much lower than those ROVs. On other hand, allow access relatively safe way conditions, very difficult (rocky highs, strong currents, dangerous (lost gears, shipwreck, ) then inaccessible AUVs.