Predictika · Subsea inertial navigation

An AI sales agent's inertial navigation quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for an Exail inertial navigation system for a subsea vehicle: the unit, the vehicle supply, power budget, temperature range, shock and rotation limits, depth, serial and Ethernet ports, and the position and heading accuracy it promises. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public Exail datasheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the datasheet figures for that unit.

Scope: Exail Phins Compact Series (C3, 9 Compact, C7), Phins Subsea and Octans Subsea: supply, power, temperature, dynamics, depth, interfaces, weight and stated accuracy. See everything this validator covers

This validator models the figures in three public Exail datasheets (Phins Compact Series, Phins Subsea, Octans Subsea), not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Units — Phins C3, 9 Compact and C7 from the Compact Series datasheet, Phins Subsea, and Octans Subsea, each with the figures its own datasheet gives.
  • Vehicle fit — supply voltage range, power consumption, operating temperature, acceleration and rotation-rate range, data output rate and the weight limit of the vehicle are compared with the unit's datasheet figures.
  • Interfaces — the serial ports, Ethernet inputs, pulse inputs and pulse outputs the vehicle needs are compared with the counts the datasheet lists.
  • Depth — the operating depth and any depth the quote states are compared with the depth rating of Phins Subsea (6000 m) and Octans Subsea (3000 m). The Compact Series datasheet gives no depth rating, so any depth goes to a person.
  • Accuracy — the position target (DVL-aided, as a percentage of distance travelled) and the heading target are compared with the datasheet typical values for the unit and its aiding. Octans Subsea is a gyrocompass with no position output, so a position target is blocked.
  • Sent to a person — a power budget below the datasheet consumption figure (a typical value that excludes external sensors), a position or heading target with no aiding to support it, USBL or LBL aiding or DVL aiding on Octans Subsea (its datasheet lists GNSS and a speed sensor only), a DVL make outside Nortek, Waterlinked and Teledyne RDI, and multi-DVL solutions on any unit but Phins Subsea.

Any quote for these units that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (none are public, so this validator produces no price build-up), dimensions, connectors, software options, and other Exail products.

The AI sales agentBuilds the navigation quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Limits that differ by unitOnly with workarounds
Each unit has its own supply range, power draw, temperature range, shock limit, port counts and weight. A rules-based CPQ needs a compatibility table or a rule per unit, and edits when a datasheet changes.		The datasheet figures are data; each quote is compared with the figures for its unit on every call.
Depth that exists for some units onlyOnly with care
Phins Subsea and Octans Subsea have a depth rating; the Compact Series datasheet gives none. The unit has to be read before the depth rule applies.		The unit, the depth and the other choices are compared together, in any order.
Accuracy that depends on the aidingOnly with workarounds
A position figure holds only with DVL aiding, heading depends on which aids are present, and Octans Subsea has no position output at all.		Position, heading and the aiding the vehicle carries are evaluated in one pass and each failure is reported.
Interfaces the vehicle needsOnly with care
Serial, Ethernet, pulse input and pulse output counts differ by unit and are easy to miss until the integration stage.		The counts the vehicle needs are compared with what the datasheet lists for the selected unit.
Accuracy and depth the quote statesOnly with workarounds
A stated figure has to be compared with the datasheet number for that unit and aiding, and nothing in a plain configurator does that.		The stated figures are fields in the request, compared with the datasheet figures on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a rep often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The vehicle supply of 12 V is outside the datasheet supply range for this unit, 20 to 32 V.
2The vehicle supply of 36 V is outside the datasheet supply range for this unit, 20 to 32 V.
3The power budget of 19 W is below the 20 W consumption the datasheet gives for this unit (a typical value that excludes external sensors); a person should confirm the power budget with Exail.
4The vehicle temperature range of -18 to 40 degrees C is outside the datasheet operating range for this unit, -15 to 60 degrees C.
5The vehicle temperature range of 0 to 58 degrees C is outside the datasheet operating range for this unit, -20 to 55 degrees C.
6The vehicle acceleration of 6 g is above the datasheet dynamic range of this unit, plus or minus 5 g.
7The vehicle acceleration of 20 g is above the datasheet dynamic range of this unit, plus or minus 15 g.
8The vehicle rotation rate of 800 degrees per second is above the datasheet dynamic range of 750 degrees per second.
9The operating depth of 6500 m is deeper than the datasheet depth rating of this unit, 6000 m.
10The operating depth of 3200 m is deeper than the datasheet depth rating of this unit, 3000 m.
11The Phins Compact Series datasheet gives no depth rating; a person should confirm the housing or pressure rating with Exail for this depth.
12The vehicle needs 3 serial ports; the datasheet lists 2 for this unit.
13The vehicle needs 6 serial ports; the datasheet lists 5 for this unit.
14The vehicle needs 5 Ethernet inputs; the datasheet lists 4 for this unit.
15The vehicle needs 8 Ethernet inputs; the datasheet lists 7 for this unit.
16The vehicle needs 2 pulse inputs; the datasheet lists 1 for this unit.
17The vehicle needs 2 pulse outputs; the datasheet lists 1 for this unit.
18The vehicle needs 3 pulse outputs; the datasheet lists 2 for this unit.
19The requested data output rate of 250 Hz is above the datasheet maximum of 200 Hz.
20The vehicle limit of 3000 g for this unit is below its datasheet weight in air of 3800 g.
21The vehicle limit of 20000 g for this unit is below its datasheet weight in air of 23000 g.
22Octans Subsea is a gyrocompass and motion sensor; its datasheet lists no position or speed output and no position accuracy, and says full INS mode is a software upgrade (Rovins).
23The Octans Subsea datasheet lists GNSS and a speed sensor as its sensors and does not list USBL or LBL aiding; a person should confirm this with Exail.
24The DVL-aided position target of 4 (hundredths of a percent of distance travelled) is tighter than the datasheet straight-line figure of this unit, 5.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Compact unit for a small AUV: A Phins C7 for a small AUV with a 18 W budget, minus 18 degrees C, 20 g and four serial ports

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Phins C7 for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 18 W power budget, -18 to 40 degrees C, up to 20 g, 4 serial ports, with a DVL, needing position accuracy of 0.10% of distance travelled and heading of 0.040 degrees. The quote states a DVL-aided position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Acceleration above dynamic range. The vehicle acceleration of 20 g is above the datasheet dynamic range of this unit, plus or minus 15 g.
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  • Not enough serial ports. The vehicle needs 4 serial ports; the datasheet lists 2 for this unit.
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  • Power budget below datasheet consumption. The power budget of 18 W is below the 20 W consumption the datasheet gives for this unit (a typical value that excludes external sensors); a person should confirm the power budget with Exail.
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2. Compact unit for a small AUV: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors and moves to the 9 Compact

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Phins 9 Compact for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 18 W power budget, -18 to 40 degrees C, up to 20 g, 4 serial ports, with a DVL, needing position accuracy of 0.10% of distance travelled and heading of 0.040 degrees. The quote states a DVL-aided position accuracy of 0.10% of distance travelled. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Datasheet limits. Datasheet figures for this unit: supply 9 to 36 V, consumption below 12 W, operating -20 to 55 degrees C, up to 30 g, weight in air 1200 g.
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3. Deep ROV: A Phins Subsea for a deep ROV with a stated depth capability of 6500 m

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Phins Subsea for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 24 W power budget, 0 to 40 degrees C, up to 5 g, 2 serial ports, operating at 5500 m, with a DVL, needing position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled and heading of 0.010 degrees. The quote states a DVL-aided position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled, and a depth capability of 6500 m. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Stated depth beyond rating. The quote states a depth capability of 6500 m; the datasheet depth rating of this unit is 6000 m.
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4. Deep ROV: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors and the stated depth

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Phins Subsea for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 24 W power budget, 0 to 40 degrees C, up to 5 g, 2 serial ports, operating at 5500 m, with a DVL, needing position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled and heading of 0.010 degrees. The quote states a DVL-aided position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled, and a depth capability of 6000 m. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Datasheet limits. Datasheet figures for this unit: supply 20 to 32 V, consumption below 20 W, operating -20 to 55 degrees C, up to 15 g, weight in air 23000 g.
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5. Survey vessel ROV: An Octans Subsea with DVL aiding, USBL aiding and a position target

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Octans Subsea for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 20 W power budget, 0 to 40 degrees C, up to 5 g, 2 serial ports, operating at 2500 m, with a DVL and USBL aiding and heading of 0.100 degrees. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Octans gives no position. Octans Subsea is a gyrocompass and motion sensor; its datasheet lists no position or speed output and no position accuracy, and says full INS mode is a software upgrade (Rovins).
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  • Octans USBL/LBL aiding to confirm. The Octans Subsea datasheet lists GNSS and a speed sensor as its sensors and does not list USBL or LBL aiding; a person should confirm this with Exail.
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  • Octans DVL aiding to confirm. The Octans Subsea datasheet lists a speed sensor (NMEA) input and no DVL; a person should confirm DVL aiding with Exail.
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6. Survey vessel ROV: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors, but the DVL aiding is still there

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Octans Subsea for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 20 W power budget, 0 to 40 degrees C, up to 5 g, 2 serial ports, operating at 2500 m, with a DVL and heading of 0.100 degrees. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Octans DVL aiding to confirm. The Octans Subsea datasheet lists a speed sensor (NMEA) input and no DVL; a person should confirm DVL aiding with Exail.
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  • Datasheet limits. Datasheet figures for this unit: supply 20 to 32 V, consumption below 18 W, operating -20 to 55 degrees C, up to 15 g, weight in air 15000 g.
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7. Survey vessel ROV: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors and removes the DVL

    
The agent's request. Please quote an Exail Octans Subsea for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 20 W power budget, 0 to 40 degrees C, up to 5 g, 2 serial ports, operating at 2500 m and heading of 0.100 degrees. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Datasheet limits. Datasheet figures for this unit: supply 20 to 32 V, consumption below 18 W, operating -20 to 55 degrees C, up to 15 g, weight in air 15000 g.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for an Exail inertial navigation system for a subsea vehicle: the unit, the vehicle supply, power budget, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the public Exail datasheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the datasheet figures for that unit.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote an Exail Phins C7 for our subsea vehicle: 24 V supply, a 18 W power budget, -18 to 40 degrees C. The quote states a DVL-aided position accuracy of 0.05% of distance travelled. The rest of the request is on screen.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with two findings and one approval, all in one answer. The vehicle acceleration of 20 g is above the datasheet dynamic range of this unit, plus or minus 15 g. The vehicle needs 4 serial ports; the datasheet lists 2 for this unit.
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  6. The validator returned two blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for limits that differ by unit, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the unit to Phins 9 Compact and the stated position accuracy as to 10.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. All three earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  13. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    14.