Bluefin System Data Protocol and Format


Bluefin AUV Data and Operations System

 The General Dynamics Bluefin Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is a very effective tool for data gathering and deep sea exploration. The Bluefin is a torpedo shaped vehicle and has been used by the U.S. Navy, emergency responders and oceanography institutions to explore and search the oceans for dangerous mines, scientific data gathering and search missions. The research conducted will provide further in-depth study of the Bluefin AUV centering on its data, sensors, and information storage, and power.

Power.  The Bluefin operates on Li-poly battery power cells as described by General Dynamics “An embedded electronics system controls and monitors the cell voltages, temperature, and current to prevent the user from unintentionally damaging the cells. The quanta and electronics are enclosed in a corrosion resistant housing and designed to be completely pressure-tolerant” (Bluefin Robotics, 2017). The batteries can be installed within minutes if the need should arise. The combined battery power supply provides 1.5kWh of power and is waterproof, rechargeable, and are temperature controlled to prevent over heating thereby increasing battery life.

Data Format. The data format for the Bluefin consists of a Windows based tool suite. According to Bluefin robotics “the suite provides the necessary tools for storage, data, communications, testing, planning, and monitoring analysis” (Bluefin Robotics, 2017).

Protocols. The protocols for the Bluefin are operator established based on the mission. The user can customize safety settings, and operational constraints within the tools suite, in order to extrapolate incoming data or communicate commands via the tool suites user interface option.

Storage. Data storage is comprised of a 4 GB flash drive. The storage is also expandable to provide a greater amount based on mission parameters and objectives. The storage system allows for quick access to information utilizing both manual and radio frequency communication. The data collected is obtainable by the operator utilizing the power suite.

Sensors. Sensors offered on the Bluefin AUV can be customized for the mission the vehicle will be used to perform. The user tool suite provides a dashboard to monitor the sensors and provides vehicle and sensor status details. According to Bluefin Robotics “The Dashboard automatically shifts communications to the highest bandwidth channel available providing you with a dynamic gateway to the vehicle. A variety of specialized diagnostic interfaces aid the preventative and corrective maintenance procedures for each sensor and subsystem” (Bluefin Robotics, 2017).
The sensor offerings by Bluefin Robotics are separated into three categories which are imaging, navigation, scientific and communication. Imaging sensors provide sonar, echo, profiler, and camera capabilities. Navigation sensors provide altimeter, acoustic, compass, GPS, and Doppler capabilities. Scientific sensors are comprised of sound sensors, beam attenuation, magnetometer and turbidity and fluorometer sensors. Furthermore, sensors are designed with bus connection capabilities in order to provide for easy sensor replacement without initiating an entire system redesign. According to Bluefin “the entire Bluefin AUV with sensors operates on a total battery power output of 13.5 kWH of energy” (Bluefin Robotics, 2017).

Alternative recommendation. The alternative recommendation I would recommend would be the ability to download mission data from a UAV platform. The capability would provide greater expandability of missions by utilizing the UAV and AUV to operate in unison to address mission objectives during ISR or other sea and air engagement scenarios.

References

Bluefin Robotics. (2017). Background and Specifications. General Dynamics Missions Systems,
Retrieved from http://www.bluefinrobotics.com/technology/energy/

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