I am developing a custom application using the SeaTrac SDK for an underwater USBL tracking system. As we continue our integration and testing, we would appreciate some clarification on a few implementation details and best practices.
Recommended USBL Tracking Workflow
What is the recommended approach for continuously tracking a beacon?
Should the host application periodically send PingSend() commands, or does the X150 support an autonomous/continuous tracking mode after initialization?
What ping rate do you recommend for stable real-time tracking?
Beacon ID Configuration
Is the Beacon ID fixed in the beacon until it is reconfigured?
What is the recommended method to read the current Beacon ID?
Can the X150 automatically discover available beacons, or must the application already know the Beacon ID before initiating tracking?
What is the recommended procedure for configuring or changing a Beacon ID when deploying multiple beacons?
USBL Position Jitter
During testing, we have observed that USBL position updates can exhibit some jitter or variation even when the beacon is stationary.
Is this expected behavior for acoustic positioning systems?
Are there recommended settings, calibration procedures, or environmental considerations that help reduce this jitter?
Does Blueprint Subsea recommend any filtering or smoothing techniques on the host application, or should applications use the raw USBL fixes directly?
Best Practices
Are there any recommended practices for achieving the most stable and accurate tracking performance?
Are there common configuration mistakes or deployment considerations that should be avoided when integrating the SeaTrac system into a custom application?