Predictika · Subsea acoustic positioning

An AI sales agent's subsea positioning quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for an underwater acoustic positioning system: a Micro-Ranger 2, Mini-Ranger 2 or Ranger 2 USBL with its software packs and options, and the transponders that go on the targets, for a given working depth, range and number of targets. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of Sonardyne's public product pages and returns a verdict, every reason and the total it computed.

Scope: Sonardyne Micro-Ranger 2, Mini-Ranger 2 and Ranger 2 USBL systems (HPT 3000, HPT 5000, HPT 7000, Gyro USBL), their packs and options, and the Nano, WSM 6+, WMT 6, RT 6 and Compatt 6+ transponders. See everything this validator covers

This validator models a quote for Sonardyne USBL acoustic positioning systems and their transponders, based on the public Sonardyne product pages. It handles any quote for these products, not just the scenarios shown. Where a rule is a published Sonardyne figure it says so; limits and prices that are only typical are labeled that way.

  • Micro-Ranger 2 USBL — portable one-box system with the MRT transceiver, 995 m maximum tracking range, up to 10 targets tracked, medium frequency (MF) band; the kit includes two Nano transponders. UK export licence not required.
  • Mini-Ranger 2 USBL — HPT 3000 transceiver, 995 m range, extendable to 4,000 m with the extension pack (UK export licence required for the extended range version), up to 10 targets tracked simultaneously, MF band.
  • Ranger 2 USBL — HPT 5000 (Type 8142-001) or HPT 7000 (Type 8142-002, deepwater optimised), also as Gyro USBL 5000 and 7000; up to 7,000 m in the MF band and up to 11,000 m in the low-medium frequency (LMF) band, up to 99 targets tracked simultaneously, UK export licence required.
  • Packs and options — the Marine Robotics pack (Micro-Ranger 2, Mini-Ranger 2 and Ranger 2), the DP pack (Ranger 2), the extended range pack (Mini-Ranger 2), the tilted array adaptor (HPT 5000 and 7000) and the deep water deck kit (RT 6 HD).
  • Transponders — Nano NFC and Nano Cabled (Type 8262, 500 m depth rating, 995 m operating range); WSM 6+ (Types 8370-1111 at 1,000 m, 8370-4111 omni-directional and 8370-4112 directional at 4,000 m); WMT 6 (Types 8190-3111 and 8190-3112 at 3,000 m, 8190-7212 at 7,000 m); acoustic release RT 6-1000 (Type 8327), RT 6-3000 (Type 8320-3411), RT 6-6000 (Type 8321-6250, LMF) and RT 6 HD (Type 8322, 7,000 m, LMF); Compatt 6+ (Types 8300-3111 and 8300-3113 at 3,000 m, 8300-5213 at 5,000 m).
  • Typical limits (not published by Sonardyne) — every price on this page, a 15 percent discount limit, manager approval above 8 percent and for orders of 3 systems or more, engineer approval when the working depth is within 10 percent of the transponder rating or the required range is above 90 percent of the reach, and the simplification that the two Nano transponders in the Micro-Ranger 2 kit count toward the targets but are not priced separately.

Any quote for these products that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: Fusion 2 LBL, Marksman LUSBL, SPRINT-Nav and other inertial navigation, Syrinx DVL, Sentinel and other sonars, modems, AvTrak 6, DPT 6, other transponders, services and training, installation and freight. The customers are fictional.

The AI sales agentBuilds the positioning system 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
Transponder depth ratings that differ by typeOnly with workarounds
Fifteen transponder types carry depth ratings from 500 m to 7,000 m. The limit sits on the working depth, a different field from the one being chosen, so a rating is easy to exceed without anything flagging it.		The working depth is compared with the rating of the transponder chosen.
A frequency band shared by the system and the transponderOnly with workarounds
The RT 6-6000 and RT 6 HD release transponders work in the LMF band, the others in the MF band, and the band belongs to the system. That is a dependency between two separate lists.		Band, system and transponder are checked together on every call.
Range that depends on system, pack, band and transponderOnly with workarounds
Micro-Ranger 2 reaches 995 m, Mini-Ranger 2 995 m or 4,000 m with the extension pack, Ranger 2 7,000 m in MF or 11,000 m in LMF, and Nano is limited to 995 m. The reach is a result of four choices, not a field.		The reach is worked out from all four and compared with the required slant range.
Packs that exist for some systems onlyOnly with care
The DP pack belongs to Ranger 2, the extended range pack to Mini-Ranger 2. Either can be added to any quote line unless a rule says otherwise.		Pack and system are checked together.
Targets, tracking capacity and transponders in the kitOnly with workarounds
Each target needs its own transponder, the Micro-Ranger 2 kit already includes two, and the systems track 10, 10 or 99 targets. The count has to be added up, not just selected.		Targets are compared with both the tracking capacity and the transponders quoted, kit included.
Export licence status that depends on the configurationOnly with workarounds
A UK export licence is needed for Ranger 2 and for Mini-Ranger 2 with the extended range pack, but not for Micro-Ranger 2 or the 995 m Mini-Ranger 2. The same licence field blocks one quote and means nothing on another.		A missing licence blocks the quote only where the configuration needs one; a pending licence goes to compliance.
Options that belong to one transceiver or one transponderOnly with care
The tilted array adaptor belongs to the HPT 5000 and 7000, the deep water deck kit to the RT 6 HD. A quote line can hold either on any system.		Option and product are checked together.
Guidance that needs a person, such as a depth within 10 percent of the ratingOnly with workarounds
These are engineering judgment calls, not hard rules. Quote tools tend to either ignore them or block the quote outright.		The quote is not blocked; it goes to a person with the reason listed.
A stated total that has to agree with the system, packs and transpondersOnly with workarounds
Packs, options and a quantity of transponders multiply into the total, and the total typed on the quote can drift from them without anyone noticing.		The total is computed from the choices and compared with the total the quote states.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a person 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 DP pack (dynamic positioning reference) is offered with Ranger 2 only.
2The extended range pack is offered with Mini-Ranger 2 only; Ranger 2 already reaches further and Micro-Ranger 2 is limited to 995 m.
3The required slant range of 3,700 m uses more than 90 percent of the 4,000 m that the selected system reaches; an application engineer confirms it.
4The required slant range of 4,001 m is beyond the 4,000 m that the selected system, packs and transponder reach.
5The tilted array adaptor is an option of the HPT 5000 and HPT 7000 transceivers, so it goes with Ranger 2 only.
6The deep water deck kit is listed as an option of the RT 6 HD release transponder only.
7The transponder and the system work in different frequency bands; MF transponders (20 to 34 kHz) need a system in the MF band, and the RT 6-6000 and RT 6 HD release transponders (LMF, about 14 to 19 kHz) need a system in the LMF band.
8The LMF band is offered with Ranger 2 only; Micro-Ranger 2 and Mini-Ranger 2 work in the MF band.
9A working depth of 501 m is deeper than the 500 m depth rating of the selected transponder.
10A working depth of 500 m is within 10 percent of the 500 m depth rating of the selected transponder; an application engineer confirms the deployment.
11Tracking 11 targets is more than the 10 that the selected system tracks.
12Each target needs its own transponder, but the quote covers 4 of the 5 targets.
13This configuration needs a UK export licence (Ranger 2, or Mini-Ranger 2 with the extended range pack) and none has been applied for.
14The UK export licence has been applied for but is not yet granted; the compliance team confirms before anything ships.
15The quote has 0 systems; at least one is needed.
16Orders of 3 systems or more are confirmed by a sales manager before they are sent; this one has 3.
17A discount of $22,024 on a list price of $262,800 is more than 8 percent and needs a manager to approve it.
18A discount of $40,420 on a list price of $262,800 is more than the 15 percent limit.
19The quote states a total of $238,800, but the systems, packs, options and transponders give $262,800.

  

  

    
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. Deepwater survey vessel: Six release transponders for a deepwater survey

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Ranger 2 USBL with HPT 5000, working in the MF band, with 6 RT 6-6000 release transponders for 6 targets, at a working depth of 5,200 m and a maximum slant range of 8,500 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. Add the DP pack. The UK export licence is applied for. The discount is $19,000. The quote states a total of $456,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Transponder and system use different frequency bands. The transponder and the system work in different frequency bands; MF transponders (20 to 34 kHz) need a system in the MF band, and the RT 6-6000 and RT 6 HD release transponders (LMF, about 14 to 19 kHz) need a system in the LMF band.
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  • Required range beyond what the system reaches. The required slant range of 8,500 m is beyond the 7,000 m that the selected system, packs and transponder reach.
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  • Export licence applied for, not yet granted. The UK export licence has been applied for but is not yet granted; the compliance team confirms before anything ships.
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2. Deepwater survey vessel: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Ranger 2 USBL with HPT 5000, working in the LMF band, with 6 RT 6-6000 release transponders for 6 targets, at a working depth of 5,200 m and a maximum slant range of 8,500 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. Add the DP pack. The UK export licence is applied for. The discount is $19,000. The quote states a total of $456,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Export licence applied for, not yet granted. The UK export licence has been applied for but is not yet granted; the compliance team confirms before anything ships.
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  • Order summary. 1 system at $475,000 each, list price $475,000, net $456,000 (illustrative prices, not Sonardyne prices).
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3. Deepwater survey vessel: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Ranger 2 USBL with HPT 5000, working in the LMF band, with 6 RT 6-6000 release transponders for 6 targets, at a working depth of 5,200 m and a maximum slant range of 8,500 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. Add the DP pack. The UK export licence is granted. The discount is $19,000. The quote states a total of $456,000. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 1 system at $475,000 each, list price $475,000, net $456,000 (illustrative prices, not Sonardyne prices).
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4. Nearshore survey: Twelve transponders for a nearshore wind farm survey

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Mini-Ranger 2 USBL with HPT 3000, working in the MF band, with 12 WSM 6+ 1,000 m transponders for 12 targets, at a working depth of 45 m and a maximum slant range of 2,400 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. The discount is $7,000. The quote states a total of $230,600. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Required range beyond what the system reaches. The required slant range of 2,400 m is beyond the 995 m that the selected system, packs and transponder reach.
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  • More targets than the system tracks. Tracking 12 targets is more than the 10 that the selected system tracks.
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5. Nearshore survey: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Mini-Ranger 2 USBL with HPT 3000, working in the MF band, with 12 WSM 6+ 1,000 m transponders for 10 targets, at a working depth of 45 m and a maximum slant range of 2,400 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. Add the extended range pack. The UK export licence is granted. The discount is $7,000. The quote states a total of $262,600. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 1 system at $269,600 each, list price $269,600, net $262,600 (illustrative prices, not Sonardyne prices).
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6. Dive team tracking: Five divers and vehicles tracked from a small boat

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Micro-Ranger 2 USBL, working in the MF band, with 3 Nano NFC transponders on top of the two Nano transponders in the kit for 5 targets, at a working depth of 60 m and a maximum slant range of 700 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. Add the DP pack. Add the tilted array adaptor. The quote states a total of $122,200. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • DP pack not offered with this system. The DP pack (dynamic positioning reference) is offered with Ranger 2 only.
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  • Tilted array adaptor not offered with this system. The tilted array adaptor is an option of the HPT 5000 and HPT 7000 transceivers, so it goes with Ranger 2 only.
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  • Stated total differs from the computed total. The quote states a total of $122,200, but the systems, packs, options and transponders give $146,200.
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7. Dive team tracking: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 1 x Micro-Ranger 2 USBL, working in the MF band, with 3 Nano NFC transponders on top of the two Nano transponders in the kit for 5 targets, at a working depth of 60 m and a maximum slant range of 700 m. Add the Marine Robotics pack. The quote states a total of $79,700. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. 1 system at $79,700 each, list price $79,700, net $79,700 (illustrative prices, not Sonardyne prices).
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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 underwater acoustic positioning system: a Micro-Ranger 2, Mini-Ranger 2 or Ranger 2 USBL with its software packs and options, the transponders that go on the targets, and more. Before the quote goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of Sonardyne's public product pages and returns a verdict, every reason and the total it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote 1 x Micro-Ranger 2 USBL, working in the MF band, with 3 Nano NFC transponders on top of the two Nano transponders in the kit for 5 targets. Add the Marine Robotics pack. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states a total of $122,200.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with three findings, all in one answer. The DP pack (dynamic positioning reference) is offered with Ranger 2 only. The tilted array adaptor is an option of the HPT 5000 and HPT 7000 transceivers, so it goes with Ranger 2 only. The quote states a total of $122,200, but the systems, packs, options and transponders give $146,200.
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  6. The validator returned three blocking findings 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 and against the stated total.
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  7. What this shows: for a stated total that has to agree with the system, packs and transponders, 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 stated total to $79,700. It removes the DP pack and tilted array adaptor.
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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. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Micro-Ranger 2 USBL (kit includes two Nano transponders) and Marine Robotics pack; the other line is on screen.
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  13. All three earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $79,700, matches the quote.
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  14. Three problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $79,700 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    15.