Seatronics add applied acoustics Pyxis INS + USBL to rental fleet

applied acoustics, an aae technologies group company, has reached an agreement with global subsea equipment rental specialist Seatronics, an Acteon company, to strengthen their USBL capability through the addition of aae’s Pyxis INS + USBL system to the Seatronics inventory. Finalised during Oceanology International in London, the deal recognises Seatronics as the first rental outlet to offer the Pyxis INS + USBL and cements a long running collaboration between the two companies.

As its name suggests, Pyxis INS + USBL is a closely coupled and fully integrated positioning system, taking aae’s high end and globally proven USBL technology and combining it with an industry leading INS package to create a calibration free USBL system capable of generating exceptional subsea tracking data. Featuring common interrogate frequencies, MiQ data telemetry and 16 target tracking, the Pyxis system lends itself to many offshore applications, with UXO surveys perhaps being the most notable.

Speaking from the OI conference, Paul Griffiths, aae’s Business Development Manager for acoustic positioning systems commented “This is a very exciting time for us to be launching our new Pyxis USBL + INS system into the market. I am delighted that Seatronics have added our new system to their portfolio of equipment which will enable their customers to use our most accurate USBL system we have manufactured to date!”

As a calibration free system, Pyxis INS + USBL is highly portable and able to immediately operate from any vessel as soon as the work site has been reached. The MEMS based INS does not fall under ITAR regulations, and the range restricted option means the whole system can be shipped unhindered and without export control to almost anywhere in the world.  A feature of the Pyxis system is the ability for the operator to deactivate the range restriction in the field under an export-controlled regime.

Derek Donaldson, Acteon – Electronics & Tooling, Segment Managing Director added, “We are a client led business and our increasingly diverse customer base firmly believe there is great potential for the Pyxis system across a number of market segments, I’m looking forward to adding this solution to our rental fleet and expanding the range of solutions we can offer our customers whilst enhancing the flexibility of service provided by Seatronics.”

Seatronics is an Acteon Group company. Acteon is a global marine technology specialist trusted to provide bespoke remote access, inspection and survey construction support to subsea assets. Acteon’s capabilities include custom sensor solutions; subsea electronics equipment rental; service repairs and calibration support; lightweight observation remotely operated vehicles (ROV); and ROV tooling, all built in partnership with key equipment manufacturers. Acteon’s rental fleet includes more than 6,000 assets in four dedicated bases around the world.

applied acoustic engineering is an independent designer and manufacturer of highly regarded subsea electronic-acoustic products, and a founding member of the aae technologies group of companies. Founded in 1989, the company has an established international client base covering many industry sectors, backed up by overseas offices and service centers and supported by a dedicated global distributor network. 

For more information on the Pyxis INS + USBL system, click here.