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Underwater GPS
- Thread starter ChrisEdwards
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serrada
Contributor
I don't believe it. :no 1) If the US Navys submarines have to surface or get close to the surface to use their GPS how is that going to work for a diver? 2) Its not accurate enough to get you back to an anchor line. If you have to be technical about it there are options, other than that use a compass.
mikerault
Contributor
Actually you run out a floating wire from periscope depth that picks up the sat broadcast...at least that is the way it was in 1979...may have changed a bit since then...
WarrenZ
The Ultimate Bad Example
The only ones I have ever heard of were in fiction books it also was said to get an acurate signal in a flooded cave. I just dont see how it would be possible but I am always up to play with another gadget.
pupdiver
Guest
Sounds like fiction to me.
GPS signals don't penetrate water. The antenna, therefore, needs to be at the surface. For a diver, it wouldn't be of much use because the system would tell you the position of the antenna, not yourself. I guess if you kept the antenna directly above you at all times it would be able to get you back to your starting point (within the error of the receiver), but I think it would be more of of pain than it would be worth.
Who is selling this thing anyway? I am a satellite communications engineer. I would love to talk to them.
GPS signals don't penetrate water. The antenna, therefore, needs to be at the surface. For a diver, it wouldn't be of much use because the system would tell you the position of the antenna, not yourself. I guess if you kept the antenna directly above you at all times it would be able to get you back to your starting point (within the error of the receiver), but I think it would be more of of pain than it would be worth.
Who is selling this thing anyway? I am a satellite communications engineer. I would love to talk to them.
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pupdiver:
That's kind of the problem, kind of not.
What matters is not whether the receiver is directly overhead the diver and the display, the important piece is the relative orientation of the two devices. One piece has to know what direction the other is pointed.
Early method? The receiver sent a signal (including it's known directional -> compass point orientation) to a submerged display. The diver (or submarine) then had to "orient" his map display screen with the use of his compass.
Version 1.1 made this automatic as the submerged display box had a built in electronic compass computerized to "spin" the display as needed per the diiver's orienation. In short, the two units were synchronized.
Yes, the antenna must be able to get the signal, but the display box must understand what direction the antenna "thinks" it is oriented.
Civillian model? Why not? What's your charge card's credit limit?
Matt S.
Contributor
I bet it's simply a waterproof GPS and the details were lost as news passed down the grapevine. (If it's anything at all.)
Felon_Monk
Guest
i actually paticipated in a discussion about this on another board... this is the convo and a good idea i had on a diving alternative.
---las"]If you could invent a new item for scuba what would it be?
I would like to c an underwater navigation system. Like what you see in cars. It would point out all of the reefs little nooks and crannies. ofcourse this won't happen untill they figure out a true underwater gps. there are gps like items on the market but there bouy based systems.[/quote] ---
i was thinking the same thing. 10 years of avionics experience has taught me one thing, RF properties will not change, thus, not allowing the receiver to get a reliable signal under water. How about a mini INS (Inertial Navigation System). It will be a small ring laser gyro that will be able to measure small shifts in movements in attitude and drift. you would just have to carry a small gps unit in your car to give you a good starting corridnate then align the ins unit out of the water and you are on your way.. i smell patent pending.
j/k
---las"]If you could invent a new item for scuba what would it be?
I would like to c an underwater navigation system. Like what you see in cars. It would point out all of the reefs little nooks and crannies. ofcourse this won't happen untill they figure out a true underwater gps. there are gps like items on the market but there bouy based systems.[/quote] ---
i was thinking the same thing. 10 years of avionics experience has taught me one thing, RF properties will not change, thus, not allowing the receiver to get a reliable signal under water. How about a mini INS (Inertial Navigation System). It will be a small ring laser gyro that will be able to measure small shifts in movements in attitude and drift. you would just have to carry a small gps unit in your car to give you a good starting corridnate then align the ins unit out of the water and you are on your way.. i smell patent pending.
Matt S.:
that sounds like the smartest post i've heard in a long time
mirrocraft
Contributor
an under water gps would be great if like everyone said you could get the signal under water i mean as a cave diver this would be great becasue you could travel different passages with less gear i mean if you had a digital map with a position locator you would never get lost in a cave. but this will never happen in my life time maybe my kids will see it
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