Auto-configurable ROV simulator

Abstract

Work class Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is widely used for underwater tasks at oil rigs. Each task needs different configuration of devices in the ROV to meet its task goal. In order to adopt variable configurations of the ROV system, Schilling Robotics ROV simulator is upgraded to be auto-configurable with language developing tools, flex and bison. The new simulator contains whole hardware information in the simulator and adjusts connection between control module and device module in accordance with hardware configuration of a real ROV system. Auto-configuration is implemented by a “parser” to set up device information and interface method, and a “switch” to reroute connections in the simulator. With this concept, all variances of ROV simulator can be consolidated to one general simulator, so that upgrade and modification of simulator are easy to achieve.