Multibeam sonar - M3 Sonar
Features
- Up to 500m and up to 4000m water depth
- Portable, cost effective and light weight sonar
- Generates imaging and bathymetric datasets from one sonar head
- Produces single-beam image quality with the speed of multibeam
- Provides GeoTIFF output and creates real-time mosaic using third party software
- Compliant to IHO Special Order & 1A
- Uses Linear FM, CW and Doppler pulses
The innovative design of the M3 Sonar® uses two sets of complementary transducers which allow it to generate both imaging and bathymetric data with the same head. Unique to the M3 Sonar® is the patented eIQ (enhanced image quality) mode of operation that generates multibeam images with unprecedented clarity.
The M3 Sonar has the ability to configure applications using complex pulses. The system allows the operator to interleave active pings and passive listening modes, Doppler, multiple true-zoom windows (up to 4) with linear FM and CW imaging modes of operation.
Data outputs are compatible with various third party software such as Caris, EIVA, Hypack and QINSy. The M3 Sonar® has the ability to produce real-time 3D point clouds enabling fast target or object detection. Ideal for shallow water surveys on USV/ASV/ROV and dual head deployment.
Benefits
- High update rate
- Significant time savings during operations
- Uniform large coverage area
- MultiMode capability
- Low power consumption
- User friendly
Applications
- Hull Inspection
- Pier Inspection and Berth Clearance
- Underwater Search and Recovery
- Underwater Security
- Underwater Vehicle Instrumentation
Installation options
- Pole mount on a surface vessel
- Suitable for a wide range of vehicles from large work-class ROVs to small observation class ROVs
- Tripod mounted
IHO compliance
- Vertical Accuracy compliance can be met over the full ±60° sector for Order 1 surveys and to at least ±55° for Special Order
- Special Order target detection (1m cube) is met to 20m and Order 1A target detection (2m cube) is maintained to 40m
M3 Sonar Applications
Marine Engineering & Site Inspection (MESI)
- Structure inspection in ports and harbours
- Dam and water intake inspections
- Bridge pier and dock inspections
- Shallow water surveys
- Outfalls and pipe inspections
- Pipeline surveys
- Dredge monitoring
Search & Recovery (SAR) / Security
- Berth clearance
- Hull inspection
- Piling inspection
- Unexploded Ordinance (UEXO) / IED detection
- Body and evidence detection/recovery
- Diver direction and supervision
Underwater Vehicle Instrumentation (UVI)
- ROV - Navigation, obstacle avoidance, rapid mosaicking - Bathymetric survey, pipeline survey
- Trencher/Plough - Navigation, obstacle avoidance - Trench profiling
Environmental Monitoring
- Mammal behaviour monitoring
- Fish monitoring
- Geological studies (bedforms and gas bubble/seeps)
- Wastewater ponds & lagoons
- Archeological sites & ship wrecks detection
- Coral reefs monitoring
Installation Options
- Suitable for a wide range of vehicles from large work-class ROVs to small observation-class ROVs
- Pole mount on surface vessel
- Tripod mounted
System components
The system is made up of three main components:
- Sonar head – transmits and receives acoustic pulses
- Operations cable and power supply – supplies power to the sonar head
- Computer – operates the M3 software that manages communication with the sonar head and presents the sonar imagery for the operator
M3 Sonar Software
The M3 software was developed specifically for the M3 system to manage communications with the sonar head and operate all beam-forming and imaging processing.
Four Pre-Defined Modes
- Imaging: Long range navigation with high speed update
- Enhanced Image Quality (eIQ): Greatest image quality (0.95° angular resolution) from a short range with a slower update
- ROV Navigation: Selects eIQ or imaging based on range
- Profiling: Narrow 3° beam used to generate a 3D point cloud
Supported data acquisition software
- Hypack Hysweep
- QPS QINSy
- EIVA NaviSuite
- OIC SAMM
- Forum VisualSoft Suite
Supported post processing software
Services and support
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24/7 Technical support
Our 24/7 technical support team is there to help at any time, day or night, wherever your vessel is.
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Conversions, retrofit and refit
We understand the importance of having the right parts, available in the right place, at the right time.
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Training
Ensure that your crew is properly and thoroughly trained. This will reduce operational risk, downtime and maximise return on asset investment.
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