Diving

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At Tritech, we have worked with divers for many years. Whether you are a military diver looking to complete a covert mission in low visibility water, or a Search and Recovery dive team hoping to decrease your time in water, we have you covered.

Some of the key products which are used by divers currently include:

Diver Mounted Display (DMD)

In 2020, we launched the Diver Mounted Display (DMD): a system which enables divers to recognise targets, navigate towards them safely, and complete a close inspection, in zero visibility water The system uses the Gemini 1200ik, a dual frequency multibeam imaging sonar, which is mounted at head height and projects the sonar image in real time into a monocle which covers the diver’s non-dominant eye.

Utilising the Gemini range of multibeam imaging sonars allows the user to select the most suitable sonar for the type of operation required. The Micron Gemini provides a basic navigation capability and where a higher degree of resolution is required, the diver can opt for the Gemini 720ik or Gemini 1200ik which both of which provide excellent range, resolution and field of view. These high specification multibeam imaging sonars provide a diver with a high degree of confidence while working in zero visibility conditions and allow searches to be undertaken far more efficiently than when using search patterns alone.

The Diver Mounted Display is available in two configurations: Tethered and Untethered. The tethered system (DMD-T) is intended primarily for surface air dive systems where the supplied tether connects the diver to the surface and control of the sonar is undertaken by the support team.

The untethered system (DMD-U) allows the diver to operate totally independent of a surface connection, with the diver themselves taking control of the sonar operation. This is of particular benefit where a diver wishes to operate in a covert fashion or where there may have hazards that the tether could be snagged.

Multibeam Imaging Sonars

Our suite of multibeam imaging sonars, including the Gemini 720ik and Gemini 1200ik, have been used to support divers in multiple applications over the past 10 years. Most recently, the Micron Gemini has seen popularity as its small form factor, lightweight body and 750m depth rating makes it easy to integrate into diver supporting vehicles and swimboards alike.

The Micron Gemini offers a 90° horizontal field of view and 50m range as well as 128 beams and an effective angular resolution of 0.7°. This small but powerful sonar continues to grow in popularity amongst the defence market since its launch in 2022 and is expected to continue to gather momentum over the coming years. At Tritech, we strive to continually improve our products based on user feedback.

In 2019, we launched the Gemini 1200ik: a dual frequency version of the Gemini 720ik. This sonar has become extremely popular as the low frequency enables users to locate and navigate toward targets, and the high frequency enables close inspection with high-definition, video-like imagery. The Gemini 1200ik will soon be available with AHRS, reducing the requirement for additional sensors and payload on ROVs.

Using ROVs equipped with multibeam imaging sonars is a common way for dive teams to support divers in hazardous water conditions and low visibility. By flying the ROV close to the diver, there is essentially another pair of eyes for the diver: with the team on land often able to communicate with and guide the diver using the data and images provided by the ROV and sonar.

MicronNav 200

The MicronNav 200 was launched in 2021 and is the latest Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) tracking system to join our suite of sensors at Tritech. The system can be used by dive teams to track a diver’s location in a large body of water and with integrated Google Maps ™, gives easy to comprehend location data.

The MicronNav 200 has a smaller, more accurate USBL head than its predecessor as well as compatibility with the Micron Battery Modem: a self-powered modem which can send a signal to the topside dive team for up to 30 days.

The system comprises a subsea Micron Modem or Battery Micron Modem, a surface USBL transducer with integral magnetic compass and pitch/roll sensors, a surface MicronNav 200 interface hub and bespoke operating software under control of a topside PC/laptop.

The MicronNav 200 uses spread spectrum acoustic technology. This provides a robust method for communication between the dunking transducers and the vehicle Micron Modem/Micron Battery Modem.