Comments on: MDL Fanbeam Upgrades Enhance Tracking Reliability

By: Sveinung

Sveinung — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:15:20 +0000

I have played with the new Fanbeam 5 (4.2 hardware with the new control software. Yes it is better than it was but does not touch a CyScan MK4. The tilt on the fanbeam still stops data going to the DP which sets off alarms and having the operator deliberately stop it Navigating on the target seems madness. Both the CyScan and the Fanbeam have “Fanbeams” but where the Fanbeam laser sensor will lose the target in rough seas the CyScan copes by fast Auto compensation of the laser module in the head using gyro detection and compensation.

Best buy for the bucks has to be the CyScan. As for the RadaScan…. yes its big but the new mini RadaScan looks like it will be the future of the market as it is small, low cost and WORKS! Of course one day targetless tracking using 3D laser and cloud point will arrive or high frequency radar tracking with no targets like the top end cars such as the Jaguar……. you have to wonder why its not here already (or is it??)

By: Upgraded MDL Fanbeam

Upgraded MDL Fanbeam — Sat, 07 May 2011 01:59:14 +0000

[...] with one yet? The ability to adjust the vertical angle while it is tracking would be pretty handy.. Here is an article on it S. Dynamic Positioning News. Updated daily! function fbs_click() [...]

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 17:32:05 +0000

The MDL Fanbeam has come along way in the space of 20 years with thousands on the market and good performance.

“Active wave motion compensation (auto-levelling)” = Fanbeam does not require this because is has a Fanned laser beam which at the distance between ship and oilrig the fan beam is huge thus eliminating the need for auto level systems. tilt adjust is there to compensate for bridge and platform hight. with the new software you can actually adjust tilt on the move to obtain the best signal strength.

“A rotating scanner” Fanbeam works by scanning a selected target and locking on and for the last few years now the software uses “intelligent algorithms” to prevent false reflections from
hi-visibility jackets and other surfaces. It also can regonize difrent targets from each other.

I have used Fanbeam for many years now and it works very good, I have heard Cyscan MK4.0 do not meet spec and the radar systems are still unreliable.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:28:49 +0000

What a about CyScan MK4.0 that was realesed 2009. This system has

- Active wave motion compensation (auto-levelling)that is Gyro and software controlled.Once activated the levelling function is completely automatic and allows target lock to be maintained even in high sea states.

- A rotating scanner so that it can use a multi-target mode of operation offering significant navigation advantages to a DP system.

-The sensor uses intelligent algorithms prevent false reflections from
hi-visibility jackets and other surfaces. It also can regonize difrent targets from each other.

I am using a CyScan MK 4.0 and its works very good.

By: Septembers DP Digest

Septembers DP Digest — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:49:57 +0000

[...] MDL releases upgraded Fanbeam software. When working alongside a platform or in close quarters with another vessel one of the best Position Reference Systems available to use is the Fanbeam. The new software, which has been tested in field trials after an 18-month development programme, is part of constant evaluation and monitoring of the system with users worldwide to ensure that Fanbeam constantly evolves ahead of competing technologies. [...]