An Overview of Alternative Techniques for Determining Positions at Sea,with Emphasis on Applicability of Potential Use for Positioning Buoys.

摘要

In support of a Coast Guard effort to improve the capability of field units to place buoys at their assigned locations, an assessment of the potential of alternative techniques for determining position was undertaken. The primary objective of the evaluation was to catalog, in general terms, various field survey techniques of position determination, whether presently in use or in development, with particular emphasis on the general capabilities, limitations, and application of the individual techniques for use in positioning buoys. The results of this evaluation indicate that no single method can be used to satisfy the varied buoy placement scenarios. Instead, a combination of methods (including those presently used) would be most appropriate. Furthermore, no single combined-methods system would fit all applications unless it consisted of an all-encompassing set of equipments and procedures; an impractical solution. Laser rangefinder, precision gyrocompass, radiodetermination, and satellite methods are considered to have applicability to buoy placement operations, either as stand-alone or for incorporation with a multi-sensor system. Inertial guidance and underwater acoustic methods are not considered to have practical application. (Author)