AUV Localization in an Underwater Acoustic Positioning System

Precise positioning of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is an important problem for the ocean science community as it attempts to extend its reach to ever-greater depths. Terrestrial Global Positioning Systems are of little use for an underwater target as the high-frequency/low-power signals they employ are unable to penetrate beyond the surface layers of the ocean due to reflection and absorption by seawater. The Integrated Acoustic System (IAS) being designed at the University of Victoria aims to overcome this obstacle by developing a high-precision underwater acoustic positioning system, similar in operation to a commercial long baseline positioning unit, that receives power and transmits data via the Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea (VENUS) infrastructure, a cutting-edge underwater cabled observatory. The IAS will be capable of localizing a target within the IAS range to a sufficient accuracy for use as ground truth for testing onboard navigation systems.