SBG Systems highlights the Use of Apogee Grade INS in French Hydrographic Surveys
Perfectly suited for both shallow and deep water hydrographic tasks, the Navsight Apogee grade inertial navigation system offers a budget-pleasant option, leveraging cutting-edge MEMS technology. With no annual maintenance required, the Apogee Grade INS is especially advantageous for uncrewed surface vessel (USV) operations.
Shom Chooses SBG INS for Enhanced Bathymetric Surveys
Shom, the French national hydrographic and oceanographic office, operates as a public entity with three primary goals: advancing national hydrography and cartography, providing defense support in hydro-oceanographic domains, and delivering maritime geospatial products and services to inform public policies regarding marine and coastal areas.
Based in Brest, Shom’s fleet consists of eleven vessels, including seven high-speed boats and three 59-meter BH2 survey ships.These vessels conduct operations in shallow and deep waters across France, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shom maintains a fleet in New Caledonia, which includes two boats—one speedboat and a buoy-laying vessel that is occasionally utilized for hydrographic surveys.
Upgrading Inertial Navigation systems with SBG Technology
In the process of upgrading thier inertial navigation systems (INS), Shom sought solutions that met IHO standards for bathymetric surveys, particularly focusing on roll and heave, which considerably influence the accuracy of multibeam echo sounder data.
Following extensive testing in their designated evaluation area, were the positions of all elements are meticulously documented, Shom opted for SBG Systems to replace their existing INS. Initially, they acquired a Navsight Ekinox grade system (0.02° roll) for shallow water surveys in New Caledonia, later deciding to equip their Brest fleet with the Apogee grade INS (0.008° roll).
“The Apogee system is incredibly adaptable; it meets the requirements for both deep and shallow water operations. Standardizing our sensor fleet across speedboats and BH2 vessels simplifies maintenance and inventory management,” stated Rémi Labonde,who oversees Positioning and Hydrographic Equipment at Shom.
Engineered specifically for hydrographers, the Navsight Apogee grade system integrates a GNSS receiver with a processing unit that facilitates real-time data fusion of inertial and navigational details. The Navsight system also supports connections to external devices such as echo sounders and computers. Its robust titanium casing allows for installation in the floodable engine compartment,in proximity to the multibeam echo sounder.
The Navsight Apogee solution stands out as a high-performance, cost-effective inertial navigation system, utilizing advanced MEMS technology and requiring no annual maintenance. SBG’s offering includes complimentary, unlimited firmware updates and dedicated technical support. “We chose SBG due to their excellent performance-to-cost ratio and exceptional service. The SBG support team is responsive and dedicated,” added the Shom representative.
Another crucial aspect in selecting the INS was user-friendliness. Once connected via Ethernet, the Navsight internal web interface assists users during installation. For instance, a 3D representation of the vessel displays the input parameters, allowing real-time verification of the setup. The built-in filter also monitors and validates lever arms and antenna alignment during this process, which is beneficial if Shom needs to calibrate a new system in remote locations.
“We are very impressed with SBG’s web interface. It is exceptionally intuitive and user-friendly; it significantly enhances our team’s efficiency!” – Rémi Labonde.
