Method and device for positioning of the object under - the sea, with respect to an absolute referentiel, and using a relay referentiel surface

摘要

One application of the method and device for determining the position of an underwater object 1 is seabed reconnaissance far from coastlines. The device uses a known system providing an absolute frame of reference 3, such as a satellite 18, and a ship 5 with a radio link 41 for the reception 71 of signals from the said frame of reference 3, and with an acoustic receiver 81, a computer and a reference clock. The submerged object 1 may be a unit towed by the ship 5 transmitting acoustic signals 2 which are coded and giving its depth p. An unmanned surface relay station 6, fitted with a radio link 42 to the ship, together with position-detecting equipment 72 and at least one acoustic receiver 82, sends all the information received to the ship 5 so that it can determine the geometrical position of all the points where the object 6 might be located. IMAGE