Tri-frequency Sidescan Sonar System
EdgeTech, USA, has released an AUV-based sonar system that provides three sidescan sonar frequencies as well as subbottom profiling capabilities in one compact and integrated system. One of the recently delivered EdgeTech 2205 tri-frequency systems was configured to operate at 230kHz, 540kHz and 1,600kHz. This configuration provides more flexibility for AUV operators and allows them to collect different sets of data for different missions without reconfiguration.
The lower frequency provides a 450 metre swath while the higher frequency is suited for high resolution operations. The 1,600kHz frequency can provide across-track resolution of less than one centimetre. In the middle, the third frequency can be used for the ideal combination of range and resolution. All this is available to the user without swapping systems, arrays or different components. The software switchable system allows complete flexibility to the operators.
Rounding out the sonar package on the AUV, the EdgeTech 2205 system is also configured to support subbottom profiling at the frequency ranges of 2-16kHz, 1-8kHz or 4-24kHz depending on the subbottom transducer selection by the operator.
The EdgeTech 2205 AUV/ROV-based sonar system was introduced to the market last year as a continuation to the 2200 series product group (image). EdgeTech sonar are deployed on hundreds of AUVs and ROVs around the world. Since its introduction EdgeTech’s 2205, a smaller and more versatile sonar system for hosted platforms, has been delivered to customers in a number of different configurations based on requests to address applications in the underwater oil and gas, research and military markets. System choices include sidescan sonar functionality, sub-bottom profiler choices and multiphase bathymetry offerings.
