RANGE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR DREDGING AND SURVEYING

Motorola's Government Electronics Division has developed a system called the Range Positioning System (RPS) Survey System for use in surveying and dredging operations. Using two X-band transponders located on shore and an X-band interrogator located on the vessel X-Y position coordinates are determined by triangulation based on elapsed time between the interrogator and the reference transponders. The system is accurate to within 10 feet at fifty nautical miles. For dredging operations the system provides an electrically controlled steering indicator to enable the vessel to stay on course without using conventional shore markers. The RPS also continuously calculates and records position and water depth and can cross-hatch areas along the survey line where water depth is less than a pre-determined minimum. Data is supplied to the interrogater via a calculator-type keyboard on the console or via a cassette tape supplied by the survey group.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Compass Publications Incorporated

    1117 North 19th Street, Suite 1000
    Arlington, VA  United States  22209
  • Publication Date: 1972-3

Media Info

  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: 1 p.
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00034767
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Sep 29 1973 12:00AM