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Using an acoustic positioning system which attains a position resolution of ±1 cm, Fathom Research produces repeatable, accurate measurements of any sized area of the sea floor. The Windows™ based system consists of a control computer, at least four wireless transceivers placed on the seabed around the area to be mapped (depending on the size of the area), and a hand-held cursor for a diver to mark locations. A diver, using the hand held cursor, can then mark any number of locations, which are recorded into a database and include three-dimensional position information for each location. Objects on the sea bed can be traced with the Diver Cursor to provide a precise record of the object’s location, size, dimensions, etc. Annotation software in the controller allows an operator to include information about each location such as description, photograph, or video taken simultaneously, which is saved in the same database. A virtual-reality component is then able to process the database information, rendering a 3D representation of the area mapped. Other information, such as computer generated drawings, can be overlaid on this image, allowing a sophisticated representation of the site. Coordinates and annotations of any location can be retrieved at any time from the system, allowing the diver to return to a precise location as necessary, regardless of the visibility in the water. Because the system is self-calibrating, placement of the transceivers is not critical, and not subject to errors caused by currents. The applications of this technology include:
- Benthic habitat investigations
- Archaeological mapping and data recoveries
- Structural investigations
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