Diver head mounted sonar imaging system, for improved situational awareness in low visibility underwater environments
Background
The project was initiated to support the Defence Science Technology Laboratories (DSTL) organisation in achieving a research goal.
Challenge
Level Peaks were requested to host a concept meeting with DSTL and their Stakeholders to present a range of options for possible power and processor units to enhance a commercially available Sonar. A choice of options would be required prior to Level Peaks progressing to build and demonstrate a Minimum Viable Product within the constraints (budget, environment, time, regulations).
Requirement
The base requirement was to allow a Diver to operate the Sonar one handed whilst the Sonar remained secured to their Helmet and the visual display was observable through a set of Helmet Mounted Binoculars.
The use of the Dual Frequency, Ultra-High resolution sonar image capability was critical to the underwater search function carried out by the Diver and so it required an Intuitive human factors approach whilst being ergonomic and lightweight.
Solution
Working with the Sonar manufacture Level Peaks delivered a Tactical Sonar System that has improved the Divers underwater visibility in challenging conditions.
Trade-off choices had to be made on technological criteria in areas such as Mechanical, Sonar, Power, Electronics and Visual Display (e.g. Adoption of Interpupillary Distance Optimised lenses).
Design changes to the Commercially available Sonar and Head Up Display Units were required to enable the user interface to be optimised for the Diver and the above water supervising staff who utilised a mission laptop tethered to the diver to get the extended Sonar view in real time.
Implementation
The solution was demonstrated to a number of Diver related units within both the Defence and the Home Office organisations to gain feedback and user approval.
The manufacturer has also demonstrated the system at various specialist trade shows in the US, Europe and the Far East.
Outcome
The system has gone from Proof of Concept to fully implemented solution in a rapid time which has given an Operational advantage to the UK dive community in terms of their capability to Search and Detect underwater items.
