CHCNAV launches ADCP for rivers and inland waterways
The CHCNAV RiverStar 3600D (RS3600D), a compact acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), is now available. The RS3600D supports hydrological surveying, river discharge measurement, ecological flow monitoring and channel mapping across a wide range of water conditions, and is specially designed for high-precision current measurement in rivers and inland waterways. CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) is an ambitious developer of advanced mapping, navigation and positioning solutions.
The RS3600D uses intelligent dual-frequency operation to support consistent profiling whether in shallow or deeper water. It combines an ultra-high-frequency 3,600kHz channel with a 1,200kHz band, helping operators adapt measurements to site conditions without changing instruments. In shallow and slow-moving water conditions, the high-frequency mode supports flow velocity measurements down to 1cm/s and reduces the near-surface blind zone to 5cm. This capability helps address environments where conventional profilers can be affected by signal noise and limited near-surface data.
Vertical beam depth measurement
In addition to current profiling, the RS3600D includes a dedicated 600kHz vertical beam to improve depth measurement accuracy. The nine-beam configuration enables simultaneous acquisition of depth and velocity data, supporting efficient river cross-section surveying and bathymetric studies. The system supports a depth measurement range of 100m and improves bottom-tracking performance to help hydrographers build detailed channel profiles for hydrology and river engineering applications.
Designed for field mobility, the RiverStar 3600D measures 12cm in diameter and weighs 2kg. It can be deployed on multiple platforms, including uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) such as the CHCNAV APACHE 4 series, as well as trimarans, cableway towing systems and channel buoys. This flexibility supports various survey methods and operating constraints, from rapid spot measurements to repeat monitoring campaigns.
Software integration supports end-to-end workflows
The RS3600D integrates with CHCNAV software tools to support end-to-end hydrology workflows. The EasySail Android app provides field control and file transfer. HydroProfiler PC software supports post-processing, reporting and long-term data management for hydrological testing and monitoring programmes.
