Explore The Key Features of 6G® Technology

6G® technology provides more robust performance, simple user operability, greater functionality, equipment flexibility and compatibility with aided inertial technologies. These modern compatible systems provide cost savings for users and vessel owners through efficiency of operations and equipment use.

Sonardyne Wideband® 2

At the core of the new range of 6G® transponders and transceivers is Sonardyne Wideband® 2 which utilises ultra-wide bandwidth signals offering faster and more robust transmission of data, more precise ranging and mitigation from multipath in shallow water and amongst steel structures in deepwater.

Lodestar Aided Inertial Navigation

Lodestar is tightly integrated with Sonardyne’s 6G® acoustic positioning components; providing power and control of surface and subsea transceivers. This integration enables relative inertial navigation, real-time USBL smoothing, sparse LBL and DP-INS operations.

Modem Mode

Sonardyne Wideband® 2 instruments have a full acoustic modem capability; medium speed for subsea-to-subsea communications and high speed for subsea-to-surface communications. The advanced Wideband telemetry is designed to be highly adaptive to ensure robust performance even in difficult long shallow water channels.

Accuracy

6G® and Sonardyne Wideband® 2 technology offers improved accuracy and precision thereby extending the depth to which USBL positioning operations can be conducted or extending metrology LBL capability.

High Speed

Data acquisition time using Sonardyne Wideband® 2 signals is dramatically shorter for both transponder calibration and measurement phases. Ranges, diagnostics and sensor data is acquired simultaneously to multiple 6G® instruments in a fraction of the time previously taken.

Autonomous Mode

6G® transponders can be programmed to operate autonomously without any control or commanding from an ROV or vessel. Acoustic ranges and sensor data can be programmed to be acquired at specific intervals and logged internally. This can then be recovered using high speed acoustic telemetry.

Battery Life

Do more for longer. 6G® products are designed using the latest low power electronic architecture saving owners time and money by not having to recover equipment to recharge or replace battery packs.

Longer Ranges

Sonardyne’s deep ocean positioning systems have a proven operational range in excess of 6,000 metres, enough for the longest tracking operations. Sonardyne Wideband® 2 signals enable operation over greater distances by utilising signals with greater energy content.

Full Ocean Depth Capability

Whether you are working in just a few metres of water or are exploring the deepest oceans of the world, Sonardyne’s expertise in electronic and mechanical engineering ensures our products can withstand the pressure of your application.

Multiple Target Tracking

Sonardyne 6G® USBL systems can track almost unlimited targets simultaneously. With the ‘ping stacking’ software feature enabled, one second position updates can be achieved independent of water depth. LBL arrays can also be shared by many targets.

Acoustic Output

Sonardyne Wideband® 2 signals can have twice the bandwidth of current Sonardyne Wideband® 1 signals which delivers significantly more signal-to-noise ratio for the same transmitted output power.

Dual Redundancy

6G® LUSBL positioning reference systems can be configured for dual redundancy where vessel hardware is cross linked so that in the event of equipment failure, positioning operations can continue. Dual independency allows two systems to operate independently on the same vessel without interfering with the other.

Compact and Robust

Size and weight are key considerations when space on a ROV, AUV or sensor platform is at a premium. 6G® subsea instruments are designed to be the smallest and most robust they can be whilst offering you the performance and flexibility your application demands.

Support

Want to find out more about 6G®? Sonardyne’s survey support team is available to get you the answers you need. From advice on which 6G® product to use, upgrading your existing system, or planning your first operational deployment, it’s all part of the service.