Side Scan Sonars

The 2000 Series combines EdgeTech’s highly successful line of side scan sonars (SSS) and sub-bottom profilers (SBP) into one fully integrated system.

The combined side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling system comes in a choice of three different towfish: 2000-CSS, 2000-DSS and 2000-TVD. The CSS comes with a low frequency 500 Hz – 12 kHz sub-bottom profiler and is designed for applications that require sub-bottom penetration in water depths of up to 300m. The DSS comes with a higher frequency 2 – 16 kHz sub-bottom profiler and is designed for applications that require high resolution sub-bottom imagery in depths of up to 2,000m.

The 2000-TVD comes with a low frequency 1 – 10 kHz sub-bottom profiler and is depth rated to 3000 meters. All towfish come with the choice of either a 100/400 kHz or 300/600 kHz dual simultaneous frequency CHIRP side scan sonar which will provide an excellent combination of range and resolution.

• Fully integrated turnkey system
• Digital telemetry over single coaxial tow cable up to 10,000m
• Choice of side scan and sub-bottom frequencies
• Built-in heading, pitch and roll sensors

The EdgeTech 2200 and 2205 are compact, extremely flexible and configurable sonar system for integration on 3rd party underwater vehicles. They are specially designed for installation and use on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs / AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), and other hosted platforms. This modular unit can be configured, based on the customers’ application, to collect side scan sonar (SSS) imagery, sub-bottom profiles (SBP) and bathymetric data, singly or in concert with one another.

• Side Scan Frequencies from 75 kHz to 1600 kHz
• Sub-bottom Frequencies from 500Hz to 24 kHz
• Bathymetry capabilities with full swath coverage and no nadir gap
• Simultaneous Dual Frequency operations
• “Powered Arrays” with embedded receive pre-amps
• Single or dual frequency Dynamically Focused Arrays
• Multi-Pulse operation
• On-line self-test and status reporting

Careful attention has been paid to size, weight and power consumption. The system is provided as a complete package where the 2200/2205 electronics are enclosed in a pressure vessel, or alternatively the core electronics can be provided as boards mounted onto a chassis so the customer can integrate the system into the AUV or ROV pressure housing. In both cases transducer arrays are provided for the side scan sonar (and sub-bottom profiler or bathymetry if those configurations are purchased).The arrays can be mounted in acceptable location on the vehicle, preferably away from thrusters and with a “clear view” of the seafloor. The system can operate independent of the hosted platform by simply recording and storing the data or it can be configured to autonomously interoperate with the vehicle during its mission.

While EdgeTech supplies its own sonar acquisition software “Discover” on a laptop or rack-mount PC, it is also possible to interface other 3rd Party software for command and control. Subsea units can be depth rated from 0 to 6000 meters.

The robust and modular 2200/2205 system includes EdgeTech’s unique and exciting underwater imaging technologies: Full Spectrum® CHIRP Processing, Multi-Pulse technology (future feature), Dynamic Array Focusing (optional) and Dynamic Aperture Sonar Arrays. Our proprietary Full Spectrum® CHIRP Processing enhances long range resolutions through improved signal-to-noise ratios. Multi-Pulse technology puts up to 4 pulses in the water simultaneously thereby enabling either a 4 times survey speed increase over conventional side scan sonar systems or a marked increase of pings on target leading to superior resolutions.

EdgeTech’s exclusive Dynamically Focused Arrays sharpen resolutions in the far field and enable better target identifications at longer ranges. The Dynamic Aperture of the sonar array maximizes the highest resolution imagery possible in near and far field ranges.

The 4125 utilizes EdgeTech’s Full Spectrum® CHIRP technology, which provides higher resolution imagery at ranges up to 50% greater than non CHIRP systems operating at the same frequency. This translates into more accurate results and faster surveys, thus cutting down on costs.

Two dual simultaneous frequency sets are available for the 4125 depending on the application. The 400/900 kHz set is the perfect tool for shallow water survey applications, providing an ideal combination of range and resolution. The 600/1600 kHz set is ideally suited for customers that require ultra high resolution imagery in order to detect very small targets (SAR).

There are two towfish options for the system; one with telemetry and one without. The towfish with added telemetry provides the ability to operate over longer tow cable lengths for operation in deeper waters. Both frequency sets are available for either towfish.

• Dual simultaneous frequencies
• Choice of either a 400/900 kHz or 600/1600 kHz towfish
• Standard heading, pitch, roll and depth sensors
• Topside processor and laptop are splash-proof for open boat operations
• Runs on AC or DC
• Sets up in minutes and is easy to operate
• Optional quick change tow bracket for hull inspections
• System is supplied in rugged portable cases for easy transport

The 4200 Series is a versatile side scan sonar system that can be configured for almost any survey application from shallow to deep water operations. The 4200 utilizes EdgeTech’s Full Spectrum® CHIRP technology to provide crisp, high resolution imagery at ranges up to 50% greater than non-CHIRP systems; thus allowing customers to cover larger areas and save money spent on costly surveys.

• Choice of dual simultaneous frequencies
• Optional Multi-Pulse (MP) mode for high speed surveys
• Crisp, high resolution CHIRP images
• Standard heading, pitch & roll sensors
• Easily integrates to other 3rd party sensors
• Meets IHO & NOAA Survey Specifications

One of the unique features of the 4200 is the optional Multi-Pulse (MP) technology, which places two sound pulses in the water rather than one pulse like conventional side scan sonar systems. This allows the 4200 to be towed at speeds of up to 10 knots while still maintaining 100% bottom coverage. In addition, the MP technology will provide twice the resolution when operating at normal tow speeds, thus allowing for better target detection and classification ability. The addition of the optional MP technology provides the operator with two modes of operation; either High Definition Mode (HDM) or High Speed Mode (HSM). This software-selectable mode of operation provides the operator the ability to select the best configuration for the specific job type.

All EdgeTech 4200 systems are comprised of a topside system and a reliable stainless steel towfish. A choice of dual simultaneous frequency sets are available to the user and topside processors come in a choice of configurations from portable to rack mounted units. In addition, an easy-to-use GUI software is supplied with every unit.

Numerous additional sensors are also available for the 4200 including a fully integrated tracking system with built-in responder nose.

The next generation 4205 is a versatile side scan sonar system that can be configured for almost any survey application from shallow to deep water operations. The 4205 utilizes EdgeTech’s Full Spectrum® CHIRP technology to provide crisp, high resolution imagery at ranges up to 50% greater than non-CHIRP systems; thus allowing customers to cover larger areas and save money spent on costly surveys.

• Tri frequency side scan sonar
• Motion tolerant mode
• Improved target positioning
• Crisp, high resolution CHIRP images
• Increased towfish power to support a wider range of additional 3rd party sensors
• Single pulse high resolution mode

In addition to the high-resolution imagery that EdgeTech is known for, the 4205 comes with a number of new features which makes the system even more flexible and powerful in offshore operations. The 4205 is available in either a tri-frequency side scan sonar configuration or motion tolerant and multi-pulse configuration. The tri-frequency version allows surveyors the option to operate any two frequencies simultaneously from the tri-frequency system. Long range operations for example can be achieved with a selection of 230/540kHz combination. Then, on-demand the system can be changed to a 540/850kHz system for an even higher resolution survey. The 4205 motion tolerant configuration with multi-pulse provides surveyors the ability to operate either at faster survey speeds or in more adverse weather conditions while still obtaining high quality underwater imagery.

Additionally, this configuration can be operated in a single pulse high-resolution mode for those operations that require an even more finite view of the seafloor.In both the tri-frequency and motion tolerant/ multi-pulse configurations, towfish and target positioning has been improved with the integration of a more accurate heading sensor that can be coupled with an optional USBL beacon. Additionally, all systems now come with Increased towfish power to support a wider range of additional 3rd party sensors. All EdgeTech 4205 systems are comprised of a topside system and a reliable stainless steel towfish. Topside processors are rack mountable and come with easy-to-use GUI software that can be installed on the optional industrial workstation, laptop, or customer provided PC.

The 6205 utilizes EdgeTech’s next generation bathymetric technology to provide an enhanced and fully integrated, swath bathymetry and dual frequency side scan sonar (SSS) system.

• Next Generation EdgeTech Bathymetric technology
• Wide swath coverage in shallow water, up to 12 times water depth
• Co-registered dual frequency side scan and bathymetry with full nadir coverage
• Improved Depth Performance
• New lightweight Sonar head
• Superior Multipath and surface reflection suppression
• IHO SP-44 Special Order compliance with proven results
• Over 200° view angle with no nadir gap
• Equidistant and Equiangle output options

The 6205 produces real-time, high resolution, three dimensional (3D) maps of the seafloor while providing co-registered simultaneous dual frequency side scan imagery. The 6205 uses ten receive element transducers and one discrete transmit element. The high number of channels enables superior rejection of multipath effects, reverberation and acoustic noise commonly encountered in the shallow water survey environment.

Utilizing EdgeTech’s Full Spectrum® technology, the 6205 exceeds IHO SP-44, NOAA and USACE specifications for feature detection and bathymetric point data uncertainty. Near shore and shallow water hydrographic surveys are completed faster and safer utilizing the 6205 due to the wide swath (over 200º view angle), which is typically more than three times that of existing sonars that rely solely on beam forming techniques.

The 6205 utilizes EdgeTech’s latest electronics and arrays resulting in an extremely lightweight, modular design required for shallow water applications and vessels of opportunity.

The standard configuration for the 6205 includes an integrated sound velocity sensor and interfaces with standard GPS, MRU, SVP, CTD, Altimeters and Gyros. The 6205 interfaces to most 3rd party acquisition and processing software as well.