How can heading, pitch, and roll be quickly measured on a subsea structure?

Designed for rapid ROV deployment, Zupt's Subsea Static Heading Sensor can be placed directly onto a subsea structure, providing real-time heading, pitch, and roll measurements on an onboard display that can be read immediately by the ROV camera, without requiring external communications or acoustic links

The Subsea Static Heading Sensor is a compact, self-contained device for measuring subsea structure orientation. It provides real-time pitch, roll, and heading readings on an onboard display without requiring external communications or acoustic links. Designed for ROV deployment, it can be placed onto a structure and read immediately from up to 3+ meters away.

At its core is a MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in a titanium housing rated to 4,000 meters. Optional motorized rotation enables quadrant-based gyrocompassing, delivering heading performance approaching that of high-end inertial navigation systems, but without the associated cost. Continuous onboard accelerometers provide pitch and roll readings with <0.1° accuracy, while heading achieves up to ±1°, depending on the chosen IMU.

Durable, compact, and ROV-ready, the Subsea Static Heading Sensor delivers reliable orientation measurements to support efficient subsea operations.

The LED display is optimized for seawater visibility and can be read clearly by ROV cameras without requiring data out. Colors are customizable, and the display angle adjusts to suit the deployment environment. A rechargeable internal battery provides at least 8 hours of operation, with automatic activation on deployment and power conservation until the device is rotated or moved. Its modular design supports future upgrades without replacing the housing, ensuring long-term flexibility and value.

Three versions of the device accommodate a range of requirements:

IMU A (Tactical Grade): Static Orientation Performance
Heading Accuracy: <1.0° Sec Lat. RMS after 8-min alignment
Pitch/Roll Accuracy: <0.05° RMS (0-45° tilt)

IMU B (Mid-Grade): Static Orientation Performance
Heading Accuracy: <5.0° Sec Lat. RMS after 8-min alignment
Pitch/Roll Accuracy: <0.1° RMS (0-45° tilt)

IMU C (Cost-Optimized): Static Orientation Performance with No Internal Rotation
Heading Accuracy: N/A
Pitch/Roll Accuracy: <0.1° RMS (0-45° tilt)