Figure 2. The NOSC/USGS free-swimming submersible EAVE WEST. 



2.0 REQUIREMENTS 



Requirements for the design and development of a fiber-optic communication link 

 depend on both the operational requirements of the specific application for which the vehi- 

 cle is designed and the general requirements which supervisory-controlled architectures 

 impose. In addition, it is necessary to meet these requirements in a cost-effective manner. 

 That is, the resulting system design must be cost-effective both to manufacture and to 

 deploy and operate. If possible, the use of inexpensive "throw-away" fiber links should be 

 considered. Above all, any design of a fiber-optically coupled vehicle system should be 

 capable of demonstrating performance capabilities in both speed and maneuverability that 

 approach those of a totally autonomous vehicle. The vehicle also should be capable of 

 instituting automatic contingency procedures if the link fails. 



2. 1 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERSEA PIPELINE AND STRUC- 

 TURES INSPECTION 



Operational requirements for a supervisory-controlled, unmanned submersible to be 

 used for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) inspection would be centered around the perform- 

 ance of the following inspection tasks: 



1 . The inspection of pipehnes under US Geological Survey (USGS) jurisdiction 

 for their geographical coordinates, for oil or gas leakage and, where exposed, 

 for signs of deterioration in their concrete coverings. 



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