Multibeam Echo Sounders
We are a leading manufacturer of multibeam echosounder systems for seabed mapping. Our product range includes models for all water depths and virtually any application. The benefits of multibeam echo sounders are that they map the seafloor by a fan of narrow acoustic beams, thus providing 100% coverage of the bottom. The resulting seabed maps are more detailed than those obtained using single-beam mapping. The maps are also produced faster, reducing your ship survey time.
Model overview
Comparison table of KONGSBERG multibeam echo sounders:
| Model | Frequency | Min/max depths *) | Max swath width | Available configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Sonar | 500 kHz | 0.2 - 50 m | 120 degrees | 500m and 4000m depth ratings, Ethernet, Ethernet with sync, Ethernet with VDSL and auxiliary port |
| EM 2040C MKII | 200 - 400 kHz | 0.5 - 520 m | Single head: 5.5xD / 580m / 140 degrees Dual head: 10xD / 700m / 200 degrees |
1x1 Single and dual head |
| EM 2040P MKII | 200 - 700 kHz | 0.5 - 600 m | 7.5xD / 830m / 170 degrees | |
| EM 2040 MKII | 200 - 700 kHz | 0.5 - 600 m | Single RX: 8xD / 920m / 170 degrees Dual RX: 10xD / 980m / 220 degrees |
0.4x0.7 0.7x0.7 Single and dual RX configuration for increased swath and with single and dual swath capability for increased seafloor coverage |
| EM 712 RD | 40 - 100 kHz | 3 - 600 m | 5.5xD / 1300 m / 140 degrees |
*1x2, 2x2 *Short CW transmit pulses |
| EM 712 S | 40 - 100 kHz | 3 - 1800 m | 5.5xD / 2800 m / 140 degrees |
*0.5x0,5, 0,5x1, 1x1, 1x2, 2x2 *CW transmit pulses |
| EM 712 | 40 - 100 kHz | 3 - 3600 m | 5.5xD / 4200 m / 140 degrees |
*0.5x0,5, 0,5x1, 1x1, 1x2, 2x2 *CW and FM transmit pulses |
| EM 304 | 30 kHz | 10 - 7000 m | 5.5xD / 8000 m/ 143 degrees |
*0.5x1, 1x1, 1x2, 2x2, 2x4 and 4x4 *Other customer specific conf. available on request |
| EM 304 MKII | 20 - 32 kHz | 10 - 11000m | 5.5D / 15000m / 140 degrees | 0.3x0.5 to 4x4 and customer specific configuration. |
| EM 124 | 12 kHz | 20 - 11000 m | 6xD/35000 m / 143 degrees |
*0.5x1, 1x1, 1x2, 2x2 and 2x4 *Other customer specific conf. available on request |
* Estimated depth and coverage for EM 712, based on BS= -20dB, NL=35 dB, f= 40 kHZ
Integrating more than one multibeam echo sounder
Depending upon the application, it can make sense to combine 2 or 3 multibeam echosounders with different frequencies into one system. A higher frequency instrument will have better resolution and accuracy than a lower frequency instrument for a certain water depth. The different frequency models listed below are compatible and can be combined freely. If only one instrument is used at a time, a single operator unit is sufficient. However, when more than one frequency is activated for simultaneous operation, one operator unit is required for each instrument.
High accuracy
Our multibeam echo sounders are professional tools for precision mapping of the seabed, complying with the performance standards defined by the International Hydrographic Organization’s performance standards, S-44 edition 5. Our instruments are all characterised by high mapping productivity in combination with exceptionally high sounding accuracy, and a dense pattern of soundings to cover the seafloor in order to reveal all details on the bottom. In addition to the soundings, the multibeam echo sounders produce seabed image data similar to a side scan sonar image. This dataset is useful for characterising the seabed material properties and sometimes for detecting small features not visible in the sounding data.
Complete mapping system
To form a complete mapping system, our multibeam echo sounders are connected to positioning equipment, heading and motion sensing instruments, as well as sound velocity sensors in order to position the soundings correctly.
Portable solutions
Portable solutions can be offered for inshore surveying. Permanent or semi-permanent mounting of the acoustic transducers is recommended for offshore work with surface vessels. Solutions for ROV- and AUV-based multibeam echosounder surveying are available. We have considerable experience and can assist you with practical advice.
SEAFLOOR INFORMATION SYSTEM 5
Next generation real-time software for EM™ systems
A modern and efficient working environment
Seafloor Information Systems (SIS 5) has been redesigned in order to improve both user experience and work processes. The modern window environment, menus and layout are more intuitive, helping the operator to work more efficiently. The new 3D displays handle all depths, even when displaying shallow water multibeams at maximum ping rate. The background maps are generated from GeoTIFF or S 57 charts using Web Map Services (WMS).
Post-processing software
Post-processing software for cleaning and correcting of multibeam sounding data is offered, as well as tools for producing seabed image mosaics and classification of the seabed sediment types. We offer solutions for complete data processing all the way to the final products, including electronic chart data in the form of S-57 databases and plotting of paper charts.
Prepared for integration
Our multibeam echo sounders are prepared for integration with other acoustic instruments and can be used as subsystems in integrated survey instrumentation solutions, involving centralised synchronisation of the transmission sequence and Marine Data Management.