DX3
Marcus Vincent
June 26, 2005
The DX3 System (Diving, eXplore, eXperience, eXpand) system is an multi-component diving system that provides underwater exploration from an above surface contol station. The DX3 system is priced between $1500 and $3000 and satisfies many diverse applications.
The DX3 system is made up of the following three components:
- The diving vessel
- LURE (Linked Underwater Remote Explorer).
- The base station controling computer
- LCC (Lure Control Center)
- A bouy that supports the LURE
- BOB (Big Operations Bouy)
The DX3 system allows controllers from land or boat to explore the underwater environment at depths up to 100'. The environment can be expored and recorded through video, audio, sensors such as temperatur, light, pressure, and many others.
The DX3's three major systems, LURE, BOB, and LCC are described below.
The LURE is made up of the following components:
- LCS (Lure Communication System)
- The interface between onboard recording equipment and the communication system.
- LSS (Lure Sensor System)
- USB sensor devices
- Temperature, Pressure, Light, Compass Heading, etc..
- LPS (Lure Positioning System)
- Mechanical devices that allow the LURE to move about underwater
- Motors, Propellors, Drive linkage, Seals
- LRS (Lure Recovery System)
- Responsible for bringing the LURE to the surface in case of mechanical tether failure.
- LLS (Lure Lighting System)
- Lights for onboard cameras
- LCAM (Lure CAMeras)
- LAS
- Lure Anchoring System
- Bouyancy control by placing the LURE midway between BOB and the anchor
BOB contains the following major components:
- BLWS (Bouy-Lure Winch System)
- A winch system that raises and lowers the LURE
- BPS (BouyPositioning System "beeps")
- Electronic systems responsible for controlling the positioning the bouy.
- Onboard computer system collects and releays all sensor information from the LURE.
- BMPS (Bouy Movement and Position System "bumps")
- Motors and mechanical linkage for controlling bouy position
- BSS (Bouy Structural System)
- The stuctural and mechanic components of the buoy
- BRS (Bouy Recovery System)
- Emergency recovery components, beacons, sirens, etc..
The CC (Control Center) contains the following major components:
- CLCS (Computer-Lure Control System - "clicks")
- Computer software which controls BOB and the LURE.
- COMS (COMmunication System)
- Physical network components including cabling, hubs, reinforcement wire
- CLI (Computer Lure Input)
- Physical devices such as joysticks and keyboards which are used to control BOB and the LURE
It can transmit video and audio. It can take still pictures and transmit the photos. It can be manually controlled via landline network connection up to 1000'.
The CC runs multiple software applications and is used to interface to BOB over a floating RJ45 network (100BaseT) cable. The CLCS (Computer-Lure-Control-System), "clicks", runs as a service and allows any COM capable applications to communicate to BOB and the LURE via an exposed public interface.
A Windows computer is inserted into the lure and is used as for controlling tasks such as audio and video capture, motor control, and sensor data logging. The computer interfaces to custom electronics via a JabjackU12 USB IO contoller. (
http://www.labjack.com/labjack_u12.html)
- LabJack U12 specs
- 8 input analog channels (0 - 10V)
Additional digital IO will be performed through an ActiveWire USB board.
http://www.activewire.incBOB is used to raise and lower the LURE and act as retrieval system for the LURE. Bob contains the primary battery system for the lure. If the lure ever detects complete loss of the battery system, i.e. tether snaps or becomes disconnected, the lure deploys its emergency bladder to float to the surface. (Basketball bladder with CO2 canister?)
By offloading some of the battery system onto bob the lure can be smaller and more agile. Bob contains its own propulsion system via 12V batteries.
The system works basically as follows.
The lure and Bob fit snuggly together. Bob reels in the lure and it pulls it snug onto its surface deck. Bob has wheels and can be rolled on the ground.
You plug the cmd center into Bob and then position Bob over your target area. Once over your target area you release the lure and begin controlling the lure's movment via the cmd center. All transmission from the lure is sent via a landline network connection over cat5 reinforced with other material such as rope or wire.
The lure does not need to implement bouyancy control as bob raises and lower the lure as if it were an anchor.
