The Autonomous Benthic Explorer ABE

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The Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE)
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• ABE Summary
• Fully autonomous
• Real-time long baseline acoustic navigation
• Track line control
• Bottom following
• Sonar mapping
• Magnetometer
• Plume mapping/detection
• 30 hours on bottom with Li-Ion batteries

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Precise Descents
Tracks from 8 dives
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ABE tracks and rendered bathymetry from 3
dives Southern East Pacific Rise (Cormier et al)
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Bathymetry and East-going ABE track lines
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ABE SM2000 Multibeam Survey Explorer Ridge
(Embley et al)
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SM2000 on ABE Explorer Ridge (Embley et al)
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Tidal Flow
Neutrally buoyant layer, material from previous
tidal cycles
Plumes broad, integrated, but easily sensed
Optimal survey Height 75 m
Plumes very vigorous, tightly constrained
Survey strategy Mow the Flow at the optimal
height
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Track lines from ABE51, 30 hours
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Vertical velocity
Temperature
Optical backscatter
Salinity
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SENTRY dock trials Fall 2004
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