iPI – intelligent Pioneer Interface

Fathom Systems design and manufacture the field proven iPI - Intelligent Pioneer Interface, exclusively for Tritech International Ltd. and with over 30 units sold, this product remains the industry’s preferred choice in the upgrade of navigation & heading reference systems for Pioneer ROV’s.

The iPI has been designed as a direct replacement for the Pioneer Heading Interface PCB in the Mux Pod. The iPI uses the same electrical pin-outs as the existing PCB, but rather than using the output signals from an older mechanical gyro, the input signals to the PCB come from the Tritech iGC & iFG serial data links. The primary function of the PCB is to receive the serial data from the IGC (stabilised magnetic heading, pitch, roll & heave) and the serial data from the iFG (fibre optic gyro heading sensor output). These signals are then combined into a 12-binary output word representing the vehicle heading. This binary word is equivalent to the output generated by the Synchro to Digital converter on the existing Pioneer Gyro Interface PCB. An additional feature of the Tritech PCB is that it provides and analogue output of pitch and roll of the ROV. This data comes from the IGC and is converted to a bipolar output signal of 100mV per degree of inclination and uses the Pioneer convention of positive voltage for pitch bow down and roll port down. This feature allows the existing pendulum in the Mux Pod to be removed if desired.  The PCB also accepts data from the primary vehicle heading reference unit such as a high accuracy North Seeking Gyrocompass (NSG).

For further information, please contact Tritech International Ltd.