Sidescan Sonar and Positioning in a Box
During Oceanology International (11 to 13 March 2014) Emma Technologies (Germany) presented the integration of an Applied Acoustics Engineering Easytrak USBL system with a L-3 Klein 5000 sidescan sonar system. These have been integrated in a container which includes an A Frame and a winch for up to 3,000 metres of cable, allowing fast mobilisation on a vessel of opportunity.
Operating the system is easy: the A Frame is simply released, then the container can be strapped onto the vessel to launch the sonar using the built-in winch for cables up to 3,000m. A customer wanted to locate the sonar relative to the sonar base which is where the USBL integration came into perspective. After a selection process, the Applied Acoustics equipment was chosen.
For general manager Martin Volz of emma Technologies, this solution is significant because it shows what the company can do. The client initially requested a sonar, and by working together an integrated solution is the output.
Image: Annemarie Kürsten and Martin Volz (Emma Technologies) and Gavin Willloughby (Applied Acoustics) sealing the cooperation for an easy-to-mobilise sidescan sonar unit.
