About WFS

WFS is the worlds leading developer of through-water and through-ground electromagnetic communications and sensing products. With over 50 patent applications filed in Europe and the US, our revolutionary products deliver cost savings and new capabilities to the Oil & Gas, Environmental & Industrial, and Homeland Security & Defence industries. Founded in 2003, WFS launched the worlds first commercially available underwater Radio Modem, Seatext in 2006. The same year, the company was announced as the Overall Winner of the UK MoDs top innovation award. WFSs Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007 and was followed later that year by a launch of the worlds first dual technology Radio Acoustic Modem, RAM-300. WFSs disruptive technology is revolutionising control and communications in underwater and underground environments. Underwater Radio Frequency (RF) technology has the distinct advantage that it will operate in adverse water conditions, is unaffected by acoustic noise, is free from multipathing problems and that the Doppler effects are minimal. Critically, WFSs products support data transmission across the water/air and ground/air boundaries, penetrating the surf zone, ice, harbour walls, and hitherto impenetrable materials.

Pioneering research into underwater RF technology

50 patent applications in UK & US First product launched Sept 06 - worlds first underwater RF modem DTI technology programme funding Top UK MoD innovation award 2006/07 Privately owned with offices in Livingston, Scotland and in Houston and Baltimore in the US. Customers in: - Offshore Oil & Gas - Homeland Security & Defence - Environmental Monitoring - Contract Research Organisations

WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277 Chris@RoperResources.com

Introduction
Underwater wireless communications links have up till now almost exclusively been implemented using acoustic systems. Optical links have proved impractical for many applications for a variety of reasons. Although underwater radio links were experimentally evaluated in the pioneering days of radio they were unable to meet the requirements of the time. In light of modern operational requirements and the ready availability of digital communications technology it is now time to re-evaluate the role of electromagnetic signals in the underwater environment.

WFS development work

WFS has been exploring this area of technology for over four years in collaboration with a number of government bodies, including the National Physics Laboratory, several universities and industrial partners. This area has been largely neglected in the digital communications era and WFS has filed 50 related international patent applications covering communications, navigation and sensing. WFS has a background in commercial and military terrestrial radio technology. Experimental work began in 2004 and has progressed from fundamental propagation experiments through data transmission demonstrations to the point of launching our first communications products in the 3rd quarter of 2006. WFS is currently developing three product ranges of underwater telemetry links:

Seatext - Medium range communications system

In 2006 WFS launched the Seatext, the worlds first commercial through-water and through-ground radio modem. This system has been designed to transmit signals of up to 100 bps over 30m in sea water, with range dependent on the application and data rate.

Seatext through-water and through-ground radio modem

WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277 Chris@RoperResources.com

Environmental Monitoring Application

This product has been targeted at a variety of applications such as environmental monitoring, AUV real time control, data harvesting from underwater sensors and diver communications. Electromagnetic communication links are particularly suited to shallow water applications where difficult conditions apply or where non-obtrusive solutions are required such as in rivers, estuarine waters, in harbours or around industrial facilities on the coast or off shore. Signals pass through ice with low attenuation so all year data collection is possible even when surface water is frozen.

Seatooth - Short Range, Broadband Electromagnetic Communications

WFS Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007, a broadband electromagnetic telemetry link aimed at customers who require transfer of large amounts of data (100 kbps) over short distances (up to10 m) under water. This has been designed to support the rapid harvesting of data from underwater sensors by UUVs without the need for hard docking and at very high Joules per bit efficiency. In practice each deployment has unique requirements. While the Seatooth and Seatext platforms provide the bulk of the system functionality each solution has to uniquely balance parameters such as antenna design; transmit power; duty cycle; data bandwidth; antenna size; and local noise sources in order to achieve an optimised solution for the specific application. WFS provide applications engineering support to ensure a good match of system to each application.
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Broadband Telemetry for Data Harvesting WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277 Chris@RoperResources.com

RAM300 - Dual Mode Radio-Acoustic Modem

The through-water and through-ground Radio Acoustic Modem (RAM300) is a 100 bps wireless data communications modem. Through use of hybrid acoustic and Radio Frequency (RF) technology, the RAM300 provides improved quality of service compared to a conventional acoustic modem by extending its capability. In Radio Modem Mode the system operates in difficult acoustic conditions, such as high ambient acoustic noise, in aerated water, congested conditions, and through water/air boundary and ice. In Acoustic Modem Mode the system offers extended range in deep water. Applications include networking and data gathering, AUV docking with submarines, surface vessels, and seabed stations.

Networking and data gathering

Conclusion
Acoustic underwater communications is a maturing field where fundamental operational limitations are well understood. Communications technology and operational requirements have radically changed since underwater electromagnetism was first evaluated. It is time to re-evaluate the role of underwater electromagnetic signalling in the digital era. WFS has pioneered commercial developments in this area and have launched the worlds first underwater RF communications product with unique capabilities. We believe the impact of this technology will prove disruptive in a broad range of industries including defence, offshore oil & gas and environmental monitoring.

WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277 Chris@RoperResources.com

Seatext
World leaders in throughwater &throughground wireless communications technology
OIL& GAS

Seatext
ThroughWater and ThroughGround Radio Modem :
Seatext isthe worldsfirst commercial throughwater and throughground radio communication system. Designed to interface with sensors and control units, Seatext can be readily tailored to numerous applications including through water and through ground data transmission, underwater networking, AUV homing, underwater to UAV communicationsand diver communications.

Meeting the challenges of wireless communication

Delivering reliable, wireless throughwater &throughground communications is a major challenge. Acoustic modems and floating repeater buoys are deployed widelyfor throughwater communications, but theyhave drawbacks in certain operational scenarios. Floating buoys are not covert and acousticmodems do not workwell in shallow, turbid or noisywaters. WFS understands the challenges that operators face when designing and specifying systems for an operational scenario. The leading edge technologybeing developed byWFS provides substantial operational and costeffective solutions to the Oil &Gas community.

Key Features & Benefits:

Crosses water / air interface
Underwater c ommunic ations from a variety of platforms, e.g. AUVs, remote sensors and inst r ument at ion. E nables seamless contact with assets on and above the surface. Seatext can also be used to set up un derwater communication net works, of particular use in littoral or harbour waters. Line of sight is not required and the signal will pass through harbour walls.

Communicates through ground

Seatext will pass through concrete, rock, mud, earth and into the air to provide secure communications. Applications include emergency communications in underground public transport networks, and extending Network Extended Capability into underground sensors.

Effective in complex environments

Unlike acoustic systems, WFSs radio technology is unaffected by acoustic noise, turbidity, mud or ice and will operate in shallow water as well as congested environments such as harbours, estuaries and waterways. In addition Seatext operates with out interfering with acoustic sensors or sonar and can be used without the illeffects to aquatic life often attributed to acoustic technology.

Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: (805) 798 0277

Chris@RoperResources.com

ThroughWater & ThroughGround Radio Modem : Seatext

Seatext Seatext Seatext

OIL& GAS OIL& GAS OIL &GAS

Additional Features
Transceiver

Benefits
Two way communications Can be interfaced to text entry terminal for comms link High tolerance of water conditions Reduction in Doppler shift Extended coverage GSM option

Immunity to thermal layers Fast propagation Can be connected in a network Global access

Technical Specification

Performance Data rate = 100 bits/sec half duplex Multiplexing multiple units uniquely addressable Modems can be connected in a network Antenna Magnetic coupled loop Options available for extended range Data RS232 data interface

Physical (typical) Modem housing 498mm x 143mm Antenna application dependent Power Requirements 24V external power or battery pack to specific application 3W receiving / 12W transmitting Environmental 50m housing (3000m available on request) Temp. operating 10 to + 35C

WFS
Unit 3A Michaelson Square Livingston EH54 7DP UK Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk

WFS SubseaInc
Tel: +1 4103565131 Mob: +1 4107901823 Email: chet@wirelessfibre.co.uk

Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: (805) 798 0277

RJM Seatext O&G May 2009 Chris@RoperResources.com

ThroughWater & ThroughGround Radio Modem: Seatext

Diagram of Seatext modem, set up to transmit from water to shore. The modem can be easily integrated with third party systems, in this example connecting to a laptop, GSM modem and Sensor.

Seatooth
OIL& GAS

World leaders in throughwater &throughground wireless communications technology

Seatooth
Throughwater and throughground broadband data link
Seatooth uses the latest electromagnetic digital technology to enable high data rate transmission over a short range, through water and ground. Applicationsinclude high speed data transfer between Seatooth for mounting in AUV underwater sensorsand unmanned underwater vehicles (ROVsand AUVs).

Target Applications:
UUV to remote sensors UUV/ROV/AUV comms UUV to host platform AUV docking solutions Data collection Wellhead networking Wireless connectors Test tank communication

High speed data transfer

Test tank instrumentation

Receiving video at blowout

Wireless strain monitor

Data box on riser

AUV docking for data & power transfer

Throughice comms

Wireless connector

Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: (805) 798 0277

Chris@RoperResources.com

Throughwater & throughground broadband data link : Seatooth

Seatooth
OIL& GAS

Features
Crosses water/air interface

Benefits
Removes need for cable to shore Removes need for repeater buoy Unobtrusive, covert, no navigation hazard Reduced operating time Reduced operating costs Fast access to data

High data transfer rate

Transceiver

Two way communications

Shorter download times

Reduced power consumption

Immunity to acoustic noise

Can operate in littoral or near offshore facilities / vessels generating acoustic noise Can operate in turbid water

Immunity to particulates

Immunity to multipathing

Can operate in shallow water or congested environments such as harbours/estuaries No interference with or harm to aquatic life No interference with acoustic sensors or sonars

No effect on acoustic transmission

Technical Specification
Performance System Range Bit rate Antenna Type Dimensions Data Interface Transparent Ethernet Compatible with TCP/IP &UDPpackets Power Requirements Each unit Transmitting 24Vdc, 660mA Receiving 24Vdc, 190mA Physical Housing

Up to 10m. Up to 100 kbits/sec

Magnetic coupled loop Variable to suit application

Application specific

Environmental Temp. operating 10 to + 35C Temp. storage 20 to + 50C

WFS
Unit 3A Michaelson Square Livingston EH54 7DP UK Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk

WFS Subsea Inc

Tel: +1 4103565131 Mob: +1 4107901823 Email: chet@wirelessfibre.co.uk

Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation

Tel: (805) 798 0277

RJM Seatooth O&G May 2009 Chris@RoperResources.com

Throughwater & throughground broadband data link : Seatooth

Connector replacement

No connector mate at depth or complex vehicle docking