Use of GPS in Seismic Tailbuoy Tracking Systems in the North and Barents Sea

Carl-Erik Mo, Hassein Raesmasma, and Inge Bjart Torkildsen

Abstract:	Sponsored by Norske Shell, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Shell Group, Kongberg Navigation in late 1989 started to look into the possibility of using GPS technology for high accuracy positioning of the tailbuoy, indicating the far end of the hydro acoustic cable used in seismic exploration surveys. In April 1991 a complete tracking system named Difftrack was put into ordinary operation both in the North Sea and the Barents Sea, as the first commercial available tailbuoy tracking system based on GPS. Before this the system had been through extensive field and performance testing showing a dynamic positioning accuracy on the tailbuoy of 4 meters (2dRMS) relative to MicroFix. The real challenging part in the development of the system was to overcome the problems in VHF Communication between the tailbuoy and the vessek. The communication antenna on the tailbuoy was only 2.5 meters above sea level causing severe disturbance to the communication, particularly in heavy seas. The project also revealed valuable information about how GPS performs in such a harsh environment. By basing the tailbuoy tracking system on GPS technology it can be used worldwide without having to set up any kind of shore-based reference stations. Once the system is installed onboard it can be used wherever the vessel is located. This paper describes the DifPDack Tailbuoy Tracking System, the test results and experience gained during several months of operation in the North and Barents Sea.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 4th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1991) September 11 - 13, 1991 Albuquerque, NM
Pages:	825 - 834
Cite this article:	Mo, Carl-Erik, Raesmasma, Hassein, Torkildsen, Inge Bjart, "Use of GPS in Seismic Tailbuoy Tracking Systems in the North and Barents Sea," Proceedings of the 4th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1991), Albuquerque, NM, September 1991, pp. 825-834.
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