AS LAID SURVEY AND CONSTRUCTIONWORKS

DOLPHIN UMBILICAL PROJECT

March 2007

MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION

0 03/03/2007 Work Instruction GRu ACa FLf

REVISION DATE DESCRIPTION PREPARED CHECKED APPROVED

Document: GeoLab Project Rif No.:

PTG GL023 GL MBES CALIBRATION.doc P1544/2007

Contractor (Co) Member

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

INDEX

1. MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION................................................................................................... 2

1.1 INTRODUCING MBES CALIBRATION ............................................................................................... 2

1.2 ROLL CALIBRATION ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 PITCH CALIBRATION ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 HEADING CALIBRATION ................................................................................................................ 5
1.5 LATENCY ...................................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 CALIBRATION CHECK .................................................................................................................... 6

ANNEX:
MBES CALIBRATION CERTIFICATE

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 1 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION

1.1 INTRODUCING MBES CALIBRATION

A Multibeam calibration (or patch test) is performed by sailing a number of pre-defined lines
aimed to the calculation of the sonar head mounting offsets.

As per Manufacturer’s procedure and Industry standard a Multibeam calibration consists of

the following tasks:
ƒ Roll: two lines over a flat area in opposite direction with same speed

ƒ Pitch: two lines over an area with slopes in opposite direction with same speed

ƒ Heading: two lines over an area with slopes, the lines need to overlap half a swath
width in same direction and with same speed

ƒ Latency: two lines over an area with slopes, in same direction with different speed.

The online survey system (i.e. QINSy) features a built-in utility for Multibeam calibration, a
so-called patch test. In order to use this tool, a calibration pattern needs to be sailed and the
data needs to be in the *.qpd format.

The following sections provide a brief description of the main steps to be followed during
the Reason 8125 MBES system calibration.

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 2 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

1.2 ROLL CALIBRATION

Survey two lines on the same track in opposite direction.

Draw in the plan view a line parallel to the survey lines.

In the swath view data from both lines in the scroll box will be visible, each line in its own
colour.

By changing the Roll value in the Calibration window the swaths will move to or from each
other. Values to be changes till the two swathes will overlap.

Same procedure to be repeated over the entire surveyed area to determine an averaged roll
offset.

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 3 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

1.3 PITCH CALIBRATION

Survey two lines over an area with slopes in opposite direction with same speed.

Draw the scroll box uphill and select pitch in the calibration window.

In the profile view data from both lines in the scroll box will be visible, each line in its own
colour.

By changing the Pitch value in the Calibration window the profiles will move to or from each
other. Values to be changes till the two profiles will overlap.

Same procedure to be repeated over the entire surveyed area to determine an averaged
pitch offset.

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 4 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

1.4 HEADING CALIBRATION

Survey two lines over an area with slopes, the lines need to overlap half a swath width in
same direction and with same speed.

Draw a scroll box over the overlapping part of the slope or object in the same way as for
the pitch calibration

In the profile view data from both lines in the scroll box will be visible, each line in its own
colour.

By changing the Heading value in the Calibration window the profiles will move to or from
each other. Values to be changes till the two profiles will overlap. Same procedure to be
repeated over the entire surveyed area to determine an averaged heading offset.

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 5 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

1.5 LATENCY

Using a PPS and synchronising the QINSy and Multibeam Processing Unit no latency in the
system is envisaged. However the same line with different speed over a slope shall be
surveyed.

If a residual latency is still visible it will be clearly visible in the profile view.

The software will automatically compute navigation latency on the base of the distance
between the profiles and the difference in sailing speed.

1.6 CALIBRATION CHECK

Once all mounting angles have been determined, calculated C-O’s shall be entered in the
Online System. A final calibration check survey shall be carried out at a suitable seabed
location (i.e.: flat seabed).

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 6 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 7 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 8 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 9 di 11

 MBES SYSTEM CALIBRATION
MARCH 2007

PTG GL 023 GL_ MBES Calibration Pag. 10 di 11