EXTENSE
Development of a measuring system (multisensor platform) for detection and localisation of objects (cables, ammunition and deep-sea mining) in sediments.
Duration: | 01.10.2018 - 30.09.2022 |
Project Leader: | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Horst Hellbrück |
Staff: | Dipl.-Ing. Fabian John, Sven Ole Schmidt M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Schuldei |
Background

In the joint project EXTENSE, we will develop a measuring system (multi-sensor platform) for the detection and location of objects (cables, ammunition and deep-sea mining) in sediments in collaboration with J&C Bachmann GmbH, the Technical University of Lübeck and the associated partner Fugro OSAE GmbH under the leadership of the Sea & Sun Technology GmbH.
Objective
Compared to the state of the art, the aim is not only to locate objects and materials in the seabed more precisely, but also to identify them better. This is achieved by sensor fusion in combination with sonar technology and position determination in order to locate artificial infrastructures such as underwater cables and pipelines reliably and accurately. The measuring system is user-friendly in its application and handling. The system supports the operator with implemented expert knowledge through a new user-friendly user interface, which essentially includes imaging and mechanical integration.
The coordinator Sea & Sun Technology GmbH is responsible for the system development of the measuring system and for the video control unit (subproject SYSOCU). The partner J&C Bachmann GmbH develops a probe for the measurement of the temporal neutron decay spectrum as well as the prompt gamma radiation of a pulsed neutron source (subproject INN). The Technical University Lübeck, Competence Center CoSA, designs an electroimpedance tomography sensor including imaging and develops the sensor fusion of the entire system (subproject FUSEIT).

Fig.2: Underwater communication module of an AUV based on electric field.

Fig.3: Visualization of an electric field.
Approach
The measuring system consists of a 2D/3D video control unit, a pulse neutron sensor, an electrical impedance tomography sensor and a sub-bottom profiler. Through sensor fusion in combination with position determination, artificial infrastructures such as underwater cables and pipelines are reliably and accurately located. Compared to the state of the art, the developed measuring system should not only be able to locate objects and materials in the seabed more precisely, but also to identify them better.

Fig.4: Schematic structure of the underwater measuring system for the detection of objects in sediments
Publications
Evaluation of 3-dimensional Electrical Impedance Tomography-Arrays for Underwater Object Detection (PDF - Authors Manuscript) Sven Ole Schmidt and Fabian John and Horst Hellbrück OCEANS Conference 2022 - Chennai, 1--6, 2022. |
Spectral Ultrasonic Underwater Buried Object Detection and Localization (PDF - Authors Manuscript) Fabian John and Sven Ole Schmidt and Horst Hellbrück OCEANS Conference 2022 - Chennai, 1--7, 2022. |
Effect of Object Diameter Specific Reflections to Underwater Ultrasonic Multipath Diffraction Measurements Hauke Petersen and Fabian John and Horst Hellbrück Student Conference on Medical Engineering Science, 2022. |
Feature Identifier for Underwater Ultrasonic Multipath Diffraction Model Garrett Mulkerin and Fabian John and Horst Hellbrück Student Conference on Medical Engineering Science, 2022. |
Underwater Ultrasonic Multipath Diffraction Model for Short Range Communication and Sensing Applications with Reflector Lukas Paul Schön and Fabian John and Horst Hellbrück Student Conference on Medical Engineering Science, 2022. |
Flexible Arbitrary Signal Generation and Acquisition System for Compact Underwater Measurement Systems and Data Fusion (PDF - Authors Manuscript) Fabian John and Sven Ole Schmidt and Horst Hellbrück Global Oceans 2021: San Diego - Porto, 1-6, 2021. |
High Precision Open Laboratory 3D Positioning System for Automated Underwater Measurements (PDF - Authors Manuscript) Fabian John and Sven Ole Schmidt and Horst Hellbrück Global Oceans 2021: San Diego - Porto, 1-5, 2021. |
Underwater Ultrasonic Multipath Diffraction Model for Short Range Communication and Sensing Applications Fabian John and Marco Cimdins and Horst Hellbrück IEEE Sensors Journal 21, 20, 22934-22943, 2021. |
Gigahertz Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Sediment Exploration Elsner, Christian and Fabian John and Hellbrück, Horst 2021. |
Object Localization in Seawater via Electrical Impedance Measurements Lindenberg, Arthur-Vincent and Ardelt, Gunther and Fabian John and Hellbrück, Horst 2021. |
Differential Ultrasonic Detection of Small Objects for Underwater Applications (PDF - Authors Manuscript) Fabian John and Roman Kusche and Felix Adam and Horst Hellbrück Global Oceans 2020: Singapore – U.S. Gulf Coast, 1-7, 2020. |
Development of an Electro Impedance Tomography-based Platform for Measurement of burial Depth of Cables in Subsea Sediments Andreas Schuldei and Fabian John and Gunther Ardelt and Tim Suthau and Horst Hellbrück Oceans 2019, 2019. |
Project Partner | Funded by | |
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie | ||