Underwater Tracking System for Accurate Horizontal Directional Drilling

In response to the Navy need, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to mature, in Phase II, the new Underwater Tracking System (UNTRAS) developed and proven feasible in Phase I. The UNTRAS mechanical and electronic design developed in Phase I comprises two battery-operated units: a diver operated handheld detector (HHD) and a beacon ELF transceiver (BETR) that is placed inside the standard beacon housing. The BETRs receiver remotely receives command signals from the HHD in order for the transmitter to emit optimal ELFs/ELF combinations for drill head tracking. The HHD incorporates an ELF receiver based on POCs magnetic field processing modules and an ELF command transmitter to remotely control the BETR to generate frequencies required for tracking. Phase Is electronic design and ruggedized, watertight packaging for underwater usage allows UNTRAS compatibility with standard horizontal directional drilling (HDD) systems. In Phase II, the UNTRAS design will be further refined and optimized, and POC will build a full-scale system engineering prototype to test in a near-relevant environment. Based on test results, the system prototype will be modified for a final test and evaluation at near-relevant environment to demonstrate its readiness for field testing.