DE-SIT (Dynamic Electronic System Integration Testing, Visualization and Analysis)
SIT
System Integration Testing is a means of verifying a project’s component functionality with relation to other components in the same environment. It is a vital aspect of the design process. SIT ensures that all sub-components are integrated successfully to provide expected results. SIT testing consists of on-land reconstructions of structures, including variance analysis of potential changes. The simulation of ROV operations consists of the use of one or more cranes and a real or replica ROV.
ESIT
Electronic System Integration Training utilizes graphical methods with little dynamic fidelity to simulate the placement of components in a situation. The lack of interaction between variables results in a system with little practical training utility.
DE-SIT
Dynamic Electronic SIT uses high-fidelity, dynamic interactions with complex 3D models and mechanized systems to create realistic offshore environmental conditions. DE-SIT’s improved capabilities facilitate verification of access and operability, improving efficiency and safety of physical testing and offshore operations. In addition, DE-SIT scenarios provide high-quality pilot and team operations training. It offers additional testing as a compliment to as-built models and scenarios.
Benefits of DE-SIT:
DE-SIT is not intended as a replacement for SIT. Used in conjunction with SIT, DE-SIT offers a variety of benefits for project planning and rehearsal:
- Physics: For a sub-sea scenario, SIT does not allow for vital components such as buoyancy, drag, currents, and sea state. DE-SIT maintains complete physics modelling for equipment movement and interaction.
- Simulation: DE-SIT allows for the use of structural interaction rather than the re-built structures of SIT. Used in conjunction with SIT, DE-SIT provides a supplement to physical interface testing.
- Safety: By eliminating the use of cranes and other potentially hazardous parts, DE-SIT does not pose the safety concerns of SIT testing.
- Tether Hazards: Vertically suspended, taut SIT crane wires are not representative of tether movement and the impact on operations. Potential entanglement between ROVs and structures are not properly evaluated through SIT training. DE-SIT tethers maintain realism in interactivity and movement.
- Tasks: While SIT uses crane movements for positioning, DE-SIT is able to use piloting inputs with full manipulator interaction, accessibility and operability verification.
- ROV Models: SIT is composed of one model, consisting of a real ROV or a plywood mock-up. DE-SIT includes trials with ROV models of different manipulators and tooling.
- Records of Trials: DE-SIT trials are captured in log files that may be played interactively, whereas SIT records consist of camera views taken at the time of the trial.
- Ease of Trying New Approaches: The speed with which models may be built in DE-SIT far outpaces that of SIT. This allows for greater flexibility in testing procedures.
- Visibility: the realism of SIT testing is limited in its visibility conditions. SIT is completed fully lit, with external views. No provision is made for the effects of sea conditions. DE-SIT operations are completed through pilot views and sonar, with views that are representative of real-life conditions such as current and sea-state.
- Contingency Operations: DE-SIT can simulate mishaps or equipment failure without restriction using Proteus FEA. SIT does not allow for this level of simulation.
- Training Value: Multiple pilots or teams can run through the operations with DE-SIT without restriction. There is little or no pilot involvement in SIT.
- Real-Time Operational Support: The same scenarios can be run in real-time visualization mode with DE-SIT’s tether solutions and ProteusDS FEA.
“GRI’s team also identified several clashes that could not otherwise have been noticed until offshore deployment. ”
“We were able to analyze and address these issues before it became a major time and equipment cost”
– Chris Perry, Project Engineer