This paper describes the development of a time-shared telemetry system for a remotely controlled towed vehicle designed to operate to a depth of 2400 feet. The towed vehicle (instrument platform) is equipped with:
a television camera mounted on a pan and tilt mechanism,
a film camera for permanent record of the sea bottom,
necessary lights for the TV and film cameras,
a bottom sounding sonar tied into an automatic control loop to maintain a constant position relative to the sea bottom,
a forward looking sonar for obstacle warning and avoidance, and
provision for the addition of other instruments as required.
The system is completely controlled from the towing vessel which is connected to the towed instrument platform by approximately 6,000 feet of armored coaxial cable. A slip ring winch is employed. The operators on board the towing vessel have readouts of the towed vehicle's attitude, sonars, television attitude, and position of its control surfaces. They also have television monitors and controls. They can remotely control a number of functions including the vehicle's position and the operation of the cameras and lights.
The time-shared telemetry system being developed for RUFAS II is essentially an FM telemetry system using standard IRIG channels. The composite telemetry spectrum is time-shared with television video and both telemetry and video are transmitted baseband. Laboratory test results and the prototype design configuration are presented.
The Mississippi State University Institute of Engineering Technology has under development a remotely controlled towed vehicle designed to operate to a depth of 2400 feet. The towed vehicle (instrument platform) is equipped with:
a television camera mounted on a pan and tilt mechanism,
a film camera for permanent record of the sea bottom,
necessary lights for the TV and film cameras,
a bottom sounding sonar tied into an automatic control loop to maintain a constant position relative to the sea bottom,
a forward looking sonar for obstacle warning and avoidance, and
provision for the addition of other instruments as required.
The system is completely controlled from the towing vessel which is connected to the towed instrument platform by approximately 6,000 feet of armored coaxial cable. Aslip ring winch is employed. The operators on board the towing vessel have readouts of the towed vehicle's attitude, sonars, television attitude, and position of its control surfaces. They also have television monitors and controls. They can remotely control a number of functions including the vehicle's position and the operation of the cameras and 1ights.
The development of this towed data gathering system (RUFAS II) follows the success of the National Marine Fisheries Service's RUFAS I vehicle. The chief difference between RUFAS I and RUFAS II is in the deeper operating capability and increased flexibility of the latter. The RUFAS I system uses a 5/16 inch stainless steel towing cable and a 1/4 inch multi conductor instrumentation cable which are clamped together at 15 foot intervals.
