NASHVILLE, TN—July 26th, 2012— Perle Systems, a global provider of advanced serial to Ethernet and secure device networking solutions, disclosed that PanGeo Subsea selected Perle IOLAN STS4T Device Servers for integration into their Sub-Bottom Imager ™ (SBI). The SBI is a large roving device that is submerged and sent to undersea sites where oil, gas or other proposed pipelines are to be laid. It carries out detailed surveys to identify any geo hazards or debris lying on or near the proposed route. The IOLAN STS Device Server is used to relay all of the survey data back to an onshore monitoring station for analysis.
The planning and laying of a new pipeline is a complex job, especially when it is to be laid on the seabed. Mistakes made in this industry not only cost millions of dollars, but can have devastating effects on the environment and local economies. Phil Hopkins, Technical Director at Penspen Ltd., says, “The future for pipelines is both bright and challenging. They will continue to carry the bulk of our primary energy sources, but engineers will need to ensure they perform both safely and securely, as the systems continue to age.” 1
PanGeo Subsea developed the SBI to measure and asses the ocean floor for hazards such as boulders, ship wrecks, and unexploded weapons like bombs and naval mines. Precise location and the delivery of images of these hazards are critical in order to advise on the optimum path for pipe laying.
While developing the SBI, PanGeo Subsea approached Perle Systems with a number of specific requirements for a serial to Ethernet device to be used to transmit, in real time, information gathered by the sensing equipment like heading sensors, altimeters and depth sensors. It had to have software selectable RS232, RS422 and RS485 interfaces and be sub-zero temperature hardened. After extensive testing, the IOLAN SDS4T Extended Temperature Device Server was chosen and installed on-board the Sub-Bottom Imager™.
For the full story, read the Pangeo Subsea Case Study.
1 Oil and Gas Pipelines: Yesterday and Today’ by Phil Hopkins