Compact, reliable navigation and orientation system raises the bar in vital ROV, subsea construction support and monitoring applications
iXBlue, a leading provider of navigation, positioning, and mapping solutions, today launched OCTANS NANO, a compact FOG-based (fiber optic gyroscope) gyrocompass and attitude sensor system for subsea use. OCTANS NANO fills a clear gap in the market, being a compact high-performance product, optimized for lower total cost of ownership and ease of export (no ITAR components). It addresses closely the critical needs of market segments in ROV navigation and attitude monitoring of subsea structures. Providing class-leading performance, OCTANS NANO is not only extremely robust but significantly smaller and lighter than any available product of its type. It is low maintenance and delivers fast, reliable, navigation-grade heading, roll, and pitch information in the harshest subsea environments.
“OCTANS NANO, for the first time, enables the widespread deployment of FOG-based navigation technology in the construction support and ROV markets, which were previously served by lower-grade technologies. iXBlue’s vertical product integration makes for a more highly optimized solution, reduced customer risk, and faster response to evolving customer needs. iXBlue has 15 years of experience in delivering thousands of FOG-based products. With OCTANS NANO we can now offer a smaller, lighter, low power consumption and true north seeking gyro,” said Olivier Cervantes, iXBlue’s EMEA VP of sales and marketing.
An order for OCTANS NANO has already raised by Ashtead Technology, one of the world’s leading offshore integrated equipment solution and rental companies. Allan Pirie, Ashtead Technology CEO, said, “Based on extremely positive customer feedback on reliability and performance of iXBlue inertial and navigation products, we were pleased to learn of the new OCTANS NANO system. With confidence in market demand and appreciating the advantage of the lower total cost of ownership of the new OCTANS NANO, we were keen to include the system in our product catalogue.”
OCTANS NANO’s titanium housing is rated for operation down to 4 000 meters and shares the same connector and versatile interface as other iXBlue inertial and navigation products. OCTANS NANO has been designed with the user very much in mind: it is very easy to set up for quick navigation, with fast full-accuracy settling time. Ethernet, serial and pulse ports are standard, as are a sensor-input rebroadcast capability. Cabling can be kept to a minimum and the unit is highly compatible with less up-to-date instrumentation systems.
OCTANS NANO customers will benefit from iXBlue’s comprehensive warranty and a 24/7 support line. OCTANS NANO is available immediately.