Validation of a real-time cable deployment control system for slack cable laying

Abstract

The validation of a real-time control system for the deployment of submarine communication cables presented. The control system allows the user accurately control cable bottom slack and position the cable along a pre-planned route. The system was successfully used to lay an underwater acoustic tracking range for the US Navy. A total of eight, 40 mile long cables, each having eight in-line hydrophones and several repeaters were laid in water depths of 40 m to 1800 m off San Clemente Island, California. The hydrophones were placed within specific targets along the cable route despite multiple abrupt turns in the paths, and a fully functional acoustic range is now in place. The flexibility and accuracy of the system in controlling cable bottom slack and cable bottom placement are presented using data from this Navy cable lay. The importance of properly measuring drag coefficient and forecasting currents for deep ocean cable lays is also discussed. The cable deployment control system proved that it can provide proper ship and cable engine commands to recover from unexpected full ship stops and resume deployment operations with no adverse effects on the cable lay.<>