Tower Software Ltd. Brochure Pack

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 22 Brochure Pack 1. Company Profile Page 2 2. Client List Page 3 3. Tower Software Overview General Page 4 Online Navigation Software Page 5 Post Processing Software Page 6 4. Standard Software Features and Functionality Page 7 5. Online Software Dredging Page 9 Hydrographic/Bathymetric Surveying Page 11 Pipelay and Tug Management Page Post Processing Software Database Creation and Editing Page 15 Digital Terrain Modelling Page 17 Charting Page Hardware and Equipment Supply PC Hardware Page 20 Survey equipment Page 20 Dredging equipment Page 20 Monitoring and electronics Page Tower Support Services Software Support Page 21 Training Page 22 Personnel Supply Page 22 Installations Page 22

2 Page 2 of 22 Company Profile Tower Software Limited was first established in 1984 as Tower Computer Systems, to supply custom-built software to the Hydrographic Surveying Industry. The Company was renamed in Applications to date include : Hydrographic Surveying Dredging control Pipelay support Pipeline inspection Trenching support Subsea engineering Cable installation and support EEZ surveys Marine civil engineering Search and recovery General navigation. In addition to the software, Tower designs and manufactures dredging hardware (angle, draft, and tide sensors, and winch monitoring systems), and designs and supplies remote monitoring and electronic control systems. Tower also supplies marine computers and surveying hardware (GPS equipment, echo sounders, etc),, and has a team of engineers for installation and support. Tower has a team of experienced surveyors and programmers for the provision of after- sales support. Tower supplies survey personnel to support the software, and carries out training, both in the software and in associated industry applications.

3 Page 3 of 22 Client List Tower's current client list includes: Jan De Nul N.V. of Belgium, for their dredging fleet. UK Dredging, for all their surveying and dredging fleet. Detlef Hegemann of Germany and the Netherlands, for their dredging fleet. Dharti Dredging of India, for all their surveying and dredging fleet. Dredging Corporation of India, for their dredging fleet. WA Dredging Pty Ltd of Australia Punj Lloyd Ltd of India Port of Southampton Port of Dover Port of Dublin Medway Ports Forth Ports Portland Port Authority CEFAS Land & Water Ltd Reservoir Aggregates Ltd Alfred McAlpine Civil Engineering Toa Corporation of Japan TotalAMS of Australia Numerous surveying organisations, for personnel and equipment. Previous large Tower clients include Oceaneering International, NeSA Construction Services Division, Wimpol, UDI, and Geodetic (all since taken over).

4 Page 4 of 22 Tower Software Overview General Overview Tower tailors all software to the requirements/specifications of the client as closely as possible. Tower software is written for Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and 7 and conforms to Windows standards as much as possible. The software is designed to be totally flexible, configurable, and intuitive. Emphasis is also placed on continuity between the online and offline systems. Tower is managed by hydrographic surveyors who have wide ranging experience and expertise in all the disciplines below ensuring that the application in each case is fully appreciated and understood, and therefore reflected in the software products and support. All software is personalised to the client with their logo and company name displayed. Tower software covers the following applications: Online Navigation Software General Navigation Civil Engineering Ports and Harbours Hydrographic Surveying Geophysical & Oceanographic Surveys Cable Installation & Support Dredging Pipelay & Tug Management Underwater Operations / Offshore Engineering ROV Inspection Post Processing Software Database Creation and Data Editing Digital Terrain Modelling (DTM) with Volume Planes/Calculations, Sections and Contouring Charting Utility Programs

5 Page 5 of 22 Online Software Overview The Tower on-line package is designed to carry out real-time data acquisition from both surface and underwater sensors and to navigate surface vessels and underwater vehicles. Tower software includes a choice of add-on modules for specific tasks and a variety of utility routines/modules for specialised equipment. There are calibration and data management routines, geodetic calculations, and other specialised computations. The software's success is based on its total configurability and ease of use. The operator does not have to be a Windows expert to get around the software easily (choice of pull down menus, hotkeys and icons). Everything about the software is configurable. For example, all I/O's (Inputs & Outputs from peripheral equipment & sensors, etc), printouts, data logging and screen formats & layouts are totally designable. Drivers and formats already exist for most survey peripheral devices and can be easily imported into the system for use, and any new ones can easily be designed. Due to this total configurability, the software can be interfaced to any kind and number of peripheral equipment and sensors. Tower software can be made as simple or as complicated as the user wishes, due to its flexibility and configurability. For example, screens can be designed to show almost nothing, or can show everything from survey lines, coastlines, navigational aids, legend data etc. to colour banded terrain models, charts, CAD drawings, and GeoTiff's. The Tower online software currently has the following options: Hydrographic/Bathymentric Surveys Cable Installation & Support Dredging Geophysical & Oceanographic Pipelay & Tug Management Underwater Operations ROV Inspection

6 Page 6 of 22 Post Processing Software Overview Tower has a comprehensive post processing suite with full data editing and charting facilities. The Tower Menu/Applet program, which is personalised to the client with their logo, is also included. This program acts as a focal point for the user to call all the Tower software products via icons, menus, or an applet in the Windows system tray. The suite consists of the following programs: Translator - for database creation using Microsoft Access of raw, corrected and processed data. Editor - for editing of track and bathymetry data as an interactive MDI (Multiple Document Interface). DTM - for creation of digital terrain models, volume planes, volume calculations, sections, contouring etc. Chart Editor - for creation of multi box charts with built-in CAD, enabling export in all common formats. Tidal Times - for calculation of predicted tides and analysis and editing of observed tidal data. Digitiser - for generation of coastline, soundings and symbol files either via a digitising tablet or manually.

7 Page 7 of 22 Standard Online Software Features and Functionality The following outlines the standard features available within the online navigation software. The Tower online software provides the user with a totally designable system so that its usage and presentation meets their own needs and requirements. Hardware: The following are the recommended minimum requirements. Pentium IV Processor Mb RAM. 80GB Hard Drive. 2 Com ports, USB or RS232. Monitor, keyboard and mouse. Optional extras: RS232 multi-port interface card, network card and multi screen card (dual graphics). Co-ordinated Database Information: Options are available for the following. Coastlines. KP Lines. Run/Survey Lines. Waypoints. Features. Charts. Hazards. Events. Tide Gauges. Geodetic Parameters: Tower supports any spheroid. All common projections are supported as standard. Equipment Drivers/Formats: The Tower software can be interfaced to all modern equipment and sensors for both input and output. Tower can receive all RS232 (or converted RS422 etc.) data and output in RS232. Also option for analogue data reception via Pico boards. A library of commonly used drivers and formats is issued with the software. The software provides the means for the user to design new drivers and formats when required. Offsets: Any number of vessel/dynamic/antenna offsets can be defined. Option to have offsets as primary, secondary and tertiary steered points. Vessels: Tower can track any number of vessels. Vessel shapes are all fully designable. Up to four navigation systems can be defined. Line Running: Option to use KP or survey lines. Option to import KP lines. Option to enter data in grid or geographical formats, and to set required geographical format. KP lines split into segments, straights and/or curved. Entry of turning point descriptions and selection of line style attributes and colour. Full KP line QC/QA facility with insert, delete and re-calculate options. Also option for parallel lines. Survey lines can be generated individually or en-bloc (several en-bloc options exist). All common line running calculations are available. Targets: Three active targets, range/bearing can be calculated from all steered points and offsets. An extensive choice of target options are available from either the waypoint/feature/event files or user defined. Waypoints can be automatically generated from the KP line file. Target size, label and attributes are set by the user.

8 Symbols for targets are either designed by the user, or selected from the standard list available. Logging: Logging formats are fully designable by the user for client/job requirements. Standard logging formats are available. File/logging management is controlled by the user for the above. Up to three main logging files can be used. All are saved as CSV files (comma separated variable). A secondary logging facility exists as a backup, either to another file pathname on the same PC or to a networked PC. Fixing: Fixing can be carried out either manually (keyboard hotkey/icon or external fix closure) or automatically using either time, distance or navigation update/cycle. Fix number can be reset by the user. Charts: Charts can be generated individually or automatically as specified along the defined route/kp line file. Charts can be plotted online without interrupting the cycle. Options to plot any or all of the database information, to plot primary steeredpoint and any other offsets, specify pen numbers from the carousel (colours), orientate annotation/labelling, specify frequency of plotting rate, plot text/legend information, plot either grid or geographical (or both) annotation. Printing: Printout formats are fully designable by the user. Standard formats are available. Printer and printout configuration can be set by the user. Displays: Displays are totally designable by the user. Standard screen formats are available. Screen graphical/text/variable items, font size and colours are fully configurable. Options to show plan, helmsman left/right indicator, attitude, transverse and long profiles. Page 8 of 22 Both surveyor and helmsman have complete control over their screens. Total manoeuvrability around the online screen whilst surveying is activated. QC and warning messages shown at bottom of screen. Full zooming in and out facilities via icons, hotkeys, menus and plan window zoom box. Also screen panning option via keyboard number pad and icon. Cursor position in grid or geographicals displayed on screen with mouse, also option for scribing and displaying a range/bearing azimuth. Option to skew the screens using a specified angle or orientated to the selected line. Utilities: Options for datum shifts, grid/geog calculations, true and grid range/bearing computations, recompute data, interface test, full or selectable parameter dump, internal and external display toolbar design and KP computations. Other Facilities: Extensive file management options, for loading, saving, importing files either individually or en-bloc. Choice of software manoeuvrability, via icons, hotkeys and menus. Online eventing facility. Online averaging/meaning facility. Quick toggling of navigation system for primary computations. Automatic ranging and re-centring of echosounder data within long profile window. Simulation facility for testing and training. Option for manual gyro entry. Computer clock can be synchronised and updated from satellite navigation system. Full gating and rejection criteria options for all navigation systems and sensors. Option for varying levels of password protection of software menus and facilities. Screen dump facility. Help options with hotkey summary, help contents and context sensitive help on F1 key.

9 Page 9 of 22 Online Software Dredging This program is designed to carry out real-time data acquisition for dredging and dredge support operations. Tower has been involved in the dredging industry since 1990 with Jan de Nul N.V. and Forth Ports and, more recently, with Dover Harbour Board, Land & Water, UK Dredging, Detlef Hegemann, Dharti Dredging and Construction, Dredging Corporation of India, Toa Corporation, and WA Dredging Pty. Tower specialises in the supply of tailored dredging software and supplies dredging experienced survey personnel to support the software where required. The support team at Tower has many years experience both offshore and onshore in the industry, ensuring that the best possible service is provided. In addition to the standard features, this program has the following capabilities: Dredging progress can be accurately monitored in real time by loading and displaying a colour banded 3-D model (DTM Digital Terrain Model) of the seabed, and updating it from the dredgehead positions. Options for trailer dredgers, cutter dredgers, backhoe dredgers/excavators, ploughs, and cranes. A theoretical or design model can also be superimposed to enable operators to assess when the desired datum has been achieved. The models can be colour-banded relative to each other, or relative to a local tide datum, for ease of monitoring. The dredgehead positions can be measured and adjusted for tide and draft before displaying over the model and updating it. Profiles can be drawn across and along the track through the dredgeheads, and will show the following: Both actual and theoretical seabed models. The vessel in profile. The dredgehead positions. Specialised cutter-dredger routines allow for spud and cutterhead calculations, and a transverse profile can be drawn around the curve, which the head will follow.

10 Page 10 of 22 Dredging (continued) Backhoe/excavator routines can interface to Trimble, ScanLaser, or Prolec systems, or can read from Tower s own angle sensor system. Crane routines can calculate and display XYZ of grab and open/close status, using Tower s winch-monitoring system. Dredging dump option. Size of dump can be specified and DTM is updated on icon press or menu click. There are checks to ensure the model is updated only when desired. Data can be transmitted to other vessels e.g. other dredgers and dump barges, so all digging and dumping can be seen by everyone, and all vessel positions can be monitored. Multiple tide gauges can be used. DXF display routines are available to show soundings and coastline files. There are options for network protocol routines to enable the transfer of data between the Tower Online Dredge software and the IHC/Imtech ECDIS/IMS system. The system allows for the bi-directional transfer of survey data as well as the sending of geodetic data, waypoints, digital terrain models (DTM s) and volume planes/profiles from the Tower system. Other display windows can be added to the screen, such as Colour legend. Attitude display to compare gyro, course made good and design heading. Histograms for cross-course and position quality.

11 Page 11 of 22 Hydrographic/Bathymetric Surveying This program is designed to carry out real-time data acquisition for bathymetric and geophysical survey operations. The Tower management and support team are all qualified and experienced Hydrographic Surveyors and/or Engineers, ensuring that the Hydrography application is fully appreciated and understood, and therefore reflected in the software products and support. In addition to those standard features, this real-time program has the following capabilities: Echosounder and heave data can be logged as quickly as it is received. Fix marks and various annotations can be sent to the echosounder and other devices. A profile window can be displayed to show sensor data as gathered. DXF display routines are available to show soundings and coastline files. Multiple tide gauges can be used, or tides can be calculated from the GPS. Data can be adjusted in real-time for latency. Option for GeoTiffs to be displayed online to confirm pock marks, seabed objects and general seabed topography (mosaicing of side scan sonar data/records). In addition to those standard features already outlined, the data processing program has the following capabilities: Manual or automatic editing of sensor data to remove spikes and anomalies. Selection of soundings to create a reduced data set (eg. shoalest soundings) before further processing for charting and DTM creation.

12 Page 12 of 22 Hydrographic/Bathymetric Surveying (continued) Adjustment of echosounder data for the following: Tides. Heave. Change of datum or vessel offset. Change of sound velocity. Time de-skewing for navigation delays. Output of soundings in Admiralty or engineering style, and chart production to Admiralty standards. DTM routines to create contours, sections, volumes, and 3-D models. In-built CAD routines to edit and plot background data as well as track and soundings. Batch processing of charts.

13 Page 13 of 22 Pipelay and Tug Management This program is designed to carry out real-time data acquisition for Pipelay and Pipelay Support operations. The Tower management and support team are all qualified and experienced Hydrographic Surveyors and/or Engineers and have considerable experience in the Oil and Gas industry for Pipelay, ROV Pipelay support, Trenching, ROV inspection and Underwater Operations etc. This ensures that the applications are fully appreciated and understood, and therefore reflected in the software products and support. In addition to the standard features, this program has the following capabilities: Barge Control & Tug Management: Selection of barge type (Dynamically Positioned or Anchor). DP output setup. Input of up to 16 fairlead offsets for on-line display. Set up of anchor handling tugs, names, interfacing (via telemetry), shapes and offsets for on-line display. Setup of anchor status file. Up to 16 anchors, anchor status (stacked, deployed, running, proposed etc.), anchor proposed and drop positions, output of anchor positions via telemetry to tugs, anchor range/bearing to fairleads etc. for on-line display. Ability to handle simultaneous anchor operations. Generation of barge track. Calculation of touchdown position. Telemetry to tugs includes respective anchor number and position, barge position and gyro. Option to display profile of barge with stinger position/angle and pipe catenary to seabed.

14 Page 14 of 22 Pipelay and Tug Management (continued) On-line display routines include the following: Option to display all fairleads and AHT s (Anchor Handling Tugs). Graphical representation of anchor wires being run etc. Option to use mouse to define E/N on screen for proposed anchor positions and automatic input into proposed anchor position/target file. Anchor Handling Tug (AHT): AHT has independent computer and navigation installation. AHT setup including, name, navigation, vessel shape, vessel offsets (stern roller etc.) Interfacing to barge via telemetry, Transmission of position and gyro. Independent Helmsman/Tug Master display with full environmental database. Display of barge shape/position/heading, full anchor pattern and anchor status. Anchor proposed target/drop locations automatically updated on reception from barge.

15 Page 15 of 22 Post-Processing Software Database Creation & Editing The database and editing utilities are designed to manage and graphically/numerically edit the acquired data. The capabilities of these suites include the following: Database - Translator Program: Interacts with Microsoft Access for database creation. The database contains raw and edited data, so the original data is never lost. Raw data in any defined ASCII format can be loaded from individual files or blocks of files. Databases can be merged, sorted, loaded and saved. Data can be exported in formats suitable for DTM's, charting, reporting and for use in other databases and spreadsheets. Data Editing - Editor Program: Data can be edited numerically, by directly accessing and querying the database, or graphically, within limits set by querying the database. The graphical editing comprises three options - track, profile and bathymetry editing. The editing suite is an MDI (Multiple Document Interface) which allows any or all of the above three options to be displayed simultaneously, and so that they interact with one another. The Editing suite is fully 'Data Aware', so that the three options update each other through the database. Facilities common to all three options are: Move points. Remove/replace points (single or en-bloc). Smoothing and meaning. Zoom in/out. Pan left/right, fast or slow. Look at database information for point.

16 Page 16 of 22 Database Creation & Editing (continued) Facilities specific to each option are : Track Editing : Align to line bearing. Show E/N grid. Show text (from choice list) relating to point nearest cursor. Gating and velocity checks. Profile Editing : Choice of any logged data for the y-axis of the graph (the x-axis being KP or distance run). Show text (from choice list) relating to point nearest cursor. Gating and velocity checks. Bathymetry Editing (In Profile): Choice of either or both echosounder channels. Inclusion of tide, heave and offset corrections. Show fix marks if wanted. Show text (from choice list) relating to point nearest cursor. Gating and velocity checks. Show theoretical profile from design file. Show deleted points, to allow for reinstatement. Export of selected data, in either ASCII or DXF format. Correction of soundings for velocity, time error, and offset error.

17 Page 17 of 22 DTM-Digital Terrain Modelling This program is designed to create models of the seabed, from which to calculate volumes, sections, and contours, compare with other models, and export for use in other programs. The capabilities of the DTM suite include the following: Creation of triangular DTM from the edited database. Creation of triangular DTM from imported ASCII files. Import/export of DTM s in various formats. Creation of 3-D model for displaying in Tower s navigation program and for export to other applications. Merging, replacing, and comparing DTM s. Graphical editing of triangles and depths within DTM. Creation of break areas within DTM. Creation of theoretical model by polygon design, and from text and drawing files. Creation of theoretical model by designing cross-sections along a route. Import/export of theoretical models. Calculation of volumes by comparing theoretical to actual model. Design and calculation of cross-sections through DTM, either individually or en bloc. Printing of cross-sections, with overlays from other surveys and from theoretical models. Calculation of volumes from cross-sections using Simpson s Rule. Creation and editing of contours. Creation of colour drawings from soundings and contours.

18 Page 18 of 22 Charting This program enables the design and production of multi-box survey charts using the built-in CAD package. The capabilities of the charting suite include the following: Single and/or multi-box charts which can be designed and drawn, at any scale and with any grid or axis intervals. The Charts can include: Plan/track charts Long profiles Cross Profiles The plan/track charts provide the user with the options to show any of the following: Grids and graticules, with choices for colours, text style, and grid style. Background information this includes coastlines, features, KP lines and flags, survey lines, and contours, with choices for colours, text style, and line style. Track data and annotations, with choices for colours, text style, and line style. Bathymetry in engineering or Admiralty style, at any interval or angle, and with choices for colours and overwriting checks. The long profile charts can show the following: Data from more than one survey file and more than one design file, with choices of colours and line style. Tables of text from these files. The cross-profile charts can show the following: Sections from more than one survey file and more than one design file, with choices of colours and line style. Sections as created by the DTM program.

19 Page 19 of 22 Charting (continued) Other facilities include: Text boxes can be drawn anywhere, with any text and/or values from the database. A chart overview box can be created. Volume calculations by Simpson s Rule can be carried out from the lines in the database. The charting program includes a CAD package with all the standard features that would be expected. These include the following: Complete data editing. Text, label and symbol creation. Character sizes, label directions, line types and pen colours are fully variable. General data layering. Export in DXF or all other common CAD formats. Chart output to all common plotters.

20 Page 20 of 22 Tower Software Ltd. Hardware & Equipment Supply Tower offers a full hardware and equipment service in the following areas PC Hardware Survey equipment Dredging equipment Monitoring and electronics PC Hardware Tower can provide the PC hardware required for all survey applications. Tower s inhouse engineers ensure equipment is correctly maintained and tested, and are fully conversant with all aspects of PC hardware, configurations, and interfacing to peripheral equipment. Survey Equipment Tower can provide a full range of Hydrographic Survey equipment, including Differential and RTK GPS, GPS-derived heading, Gyrocompass, Data Telemetry, Echo sounders, and tide gauges.. Dredging Equipment Tower designs and manufactures a range of dredger, excavator, and crane sensors. These include angle sensors with protective housings rated up to 30 metre water depth, draft sensors, tide sensors, and crane winch monitoring systems. Monitoring and electronics Tower designs and manufactures telemetry equipment using 3G mobile phone technology, for remote data transmission, remote access to the computer, and remote monitoring. This enables access to the surveying and dredging systems from anywhere in the world, and also supplies a low-cost option for transmitting RTK corrections or tidal data. Tower can also supply line-of-sight radio telemetry equipment, where there is no mobile phone coverage. Tower has in-house electronics and control system engineers to design and build turnkey systems for controlling all survey and dredging equipment.

21 Page 21 of 22 Tower Support Services Services provided by Tower Software Ltd: Software Support Training (Software and Survey Applications) Staff & Freelance Personnel Supply Equipment Installation Software Support Tower considers software support to be of paramount importance and therefore supplies Clients with a software support and maintenance agreement. Like the software products, this is tailored to suit the individual Client s professional and budgetary requirements. A free support period of 6 months is provided to the client after purchase. Tower supplies worldwide support by phone and . Tower takes great pride in its excellent reputation for after sales support. All clients are supported efficiently and promptly, no matter how small they are. Tower s support staff are qualified and experienced hydrographic surveyors and engineers, enabling effective support for both the product and the various applications undertaken. Any or all of the following can be included in a support package: 24 hour, 365 days a year support service. Constructive problem solving/troubleshooting for software products. Assistance with survey application problems and queries. Minor modifications and bug fixes implemented promptly, with software upgrades. Site visits, if required for further installations, problem solving and modifications. Continual cycle of software development, based on client feedback and in house expertise. New versions automatically dispatched to existing clients. Regular communication with Client regarding present and future requirements/developments.

22 Page 22 of 22 Tower Support Services (continued) Training Tower can and does provide a comprehensive training service, and has a dedicated training room/centre. Training is offered both in the company s software products and the various applications undertaken. Post-Installation Software Training Tower supplies training free of charge with all software sales. Extra training can be supplied after this, but is rarely required. When training a new client the content is always geared to their individual application with typical scenarios and experiences. Survey & Client Personnel Training Tower will willingly train personnel for its clients. Tower undertakes regular training courses for in-house staff and freelancers on both the software products and survey applications, to ensure that all Tower personnel have the necessary knowledge that a client would expect. Experienced Survey Personnel Supply Tower has a pool of both staff and freelance personnel (Party Chiefs, Surveyors, Survey Engineers, Data Processors, Report Co-ordinators etc.) who are experienced in the software and equipment provided, as well as the survey applications undertaken. All personnel benefit from regular training courses on Tower software, equipment and applications. Installation Services Tower engineers can install and configure all equipment and software supplied by Tower. This can range from installing and calibrating dredger sensors, to designing, fabricating and installing mounting brackets, to installing cabling and electronic control systems, and to setting up all aspects of the software.