A Method for Detecting Buried Depth of Submarine Cables in Offshore Wind Power Based on Steady-State Magnetic Field Characteristics

Offshore wind power is critical for carbon emission reduction and energy structure transformation. Submarine cables, critical infrastructure for offshore wind systems, exhibit operational reliability inherently linked to power transmission efficiency, with buried depth identified as a key monitoring parameter. Conventional detection methods(acoustic and magnetic) are inherently constrained by algorithmic constraints, requiring preplanned S-shaped scanning along survey lines to measure buried depth only at intersection points, while results are prone to geomagnetic and magnetic interference. This paper presents a steady-state magnetic field-based technique for continuous buried depth detection along cable routes. By using a three-axis fluxgate sensor to measure the cable-generated magnetic field, the vertical distance from the sensor to the cable is derived. Fusing this with bathymeter data thus enables precise buried depth calculation. Offshore experiments validated the method's accuracy. The proposed approach achieves efficient, interference-resistant buried depth detection, reducing survey time and enhancing operational efficiency. It provides theoretical support for advancing cable route positioning, fault localization, and marine equipment development, thereby lowering offshore wind maintenance costs and improving power generation benefits.