Sounding

Single Beam Echo sounder

Multi Beam Echo sounder
 Introduction
• Underwater investigation equipments are mostly used SONAR principles.
• SONAR- Sound Navigation And Ranging
• It can be active or passive
• Active sonar – provide their own sound source and subsequently listen for
echoes as they are reflected from target that they are trying to detect.
• Passive sonar – does not have its own source. A listening device that relies
on target to emit its own sound
• Several common types of sonar utilized in Hydrographic and geophysical
surveys;
– Multibeam and single beam echo sounders
– Sub bottom profilers
– Side scan sonar
– Seismic
Basic Principle of SONAR
Range Calculation
 Sea Surface

Sea bed

Bathymetric data produced by Single Beam Echosounder System (SBES) Bathymetric data produced by Multibeam Echosounder System (MBES)

The Different between Single Beam Echo Sounder System

and Multibeam Echo Sounder System
Multi beam Echo Sounder
 Boom

Water Surface

Transducer

COVERAGE 100%

Multi Transducer Echo Sounder

Frequency
Hi freq vs Low Freq
Formulae
ECHO SOUNDER OPERATION
Components of Single Beam
Echo sounder
MULTIBEAM
Early Multibeam
 Introduction
• Multibeam are used to measure multiple depths from one
transducer array.
• The depths are measured along a swath fanning out from the
transducer array.
• Multibeam are characterized by the following parameters
– Frequency -> ranging from 12 to 500 kHz
– Swath width -> ranging from 90 deg to 180 deg (2 to 12 x
water depth)
• Accuracy generally degrades with higher swath widths.
For accurate measurements normally limited to 4 times
the water depth (120 deg)
– Beam width -> ranging from 0.5 to 3 deg
– Range resolution, depending on depth -> best 1 – 15cm
• An acoustic signal is sent from the transducer to the bottom.
• The signal will cover the entire swath or part of it (depending
on type of multibeam)
• The signal reflects on the bottom and returns back to the
transducer.
• 3 types of principles are used for determining the direction
from which signals are returned.
– Interferometric detection
– Amplitude detection
– Phase detection
 Applications
• Dredging – used for control on construction projects where a
high resolution combined with a 100% coverage is needed.
• Offshore – used for pipelines inspection
• Pre-design surveys associated with pipeline and cable routes
• Government – inspection of dams, dikes and harbours.
• Charting – used in areas where a 100% coverage bottom is
needed. IHO S44 - for harbours, shipping channel etc.
Types of Available Swath Sonar Systems
© John E. Hughes
Clarke
Typical acoustic frequencies
used are:
• 200-500 kHz in the coastal
waters.
• 50-100 kHz in continental
shelf waters
• ~20-30 kHz in continental
slope depths.
• ~10-15 kHz in abyssal depths.
 Types of
transducer
[Classification]
• Barrel array systems
• Planar Mills Cross
systems
• differential phase
systems (some times
called bathymetric
sidescan)
Transducer
BEAM FORMING & INTERFEROMETRY
Two basic methods of ‘Multibeam’
Beam Forming
Travel time as function of angle (excluding the possibility
of different travel times corresponding to a single angle)

Interferometry
The angle as function of travel time (Excluding the
possibility of different angles corresponding to a single
travel time)
Basic Beam Forming
 What is a “Beam”?

• Transmit energy (“Ping”) is released across the entire swath

– Transmit shown in BLUE
– Receive shown in GREY
– Intersection of transmit and receive samples is what we call a “Beam”
The area this covers on the seafloor is called a “footprint”
– This process is called beam forming

Introduction to Multibeam – NOAA Hydro Training 2009

Basic Interferometry
Ping Cycle Operation
Beamforming
Interferometry
Beamforming VS Interferometry
• Excellent for • Good Imagery
mapping high • Good for general
resolution of route corridor
irregular seafloors surveys
• Good for all types • Wider swath of data
of bathymetry
requirements
• Wide swath of
data, both
bathymetry and
imaginary
Multibeam Geometry
SOUNDER SYSTEM EQUATIONS

• Position and depth calculation for a MBES system

SOUNDER SYSTEM EQUATIONS

•Using simple geometry, the cross-track

distance, y and the depth below the
transducer, d can be calculated by :

•y = r sin θ
•d = r cos θ = -z

• r : range
• θ : beam angle
 MULTIBEAM SYSTEM
• Multibeam system is manufactured
consisting of the following parts:-
•Acoustic data processor
•Control Display
•Multibeam transducer array
•Sound velocity probe (depending on type of multibeam)
• Acoustic Data Processors
– The heart of multibeam system
– The processor has to process a huge amounts of data
• Control Display
– Used to change the settings of the multibeam.
– The reading from the multibeam will be displayed as well as the status
of the multibeam
• Transducer
– Multibeam transducer arrays can be subdivided using a number of
parameters such as frequency, number of beams, beam angle and
maximum depth rating.
– All these parameters influence the size of the transducer.
– Apart from size, multibeam transducers can be divided into flat arrays
and round arrays.
– Main advantage of the round array is that there is a direct relationship
between the position of the receive element of the transducer and the
beam number.
 FLAT ARRAY

VS

ROUND ARRAY
Contd…
– When using flat arrays, phase detection is used to electronically detect
the beam number based on the returned signal.
– The wavelength of the signal depends on the frequency and speed of
sound, sound velocity probe is used to correct for the differences in
sound velocity at the receive head.
– Depending on the type of multibeam, the transmit and receive array
can either be separated or combined.
• Peripherals System
– In order to operate a multibeam system, a number of other systems
are required as listed below:-
• Motion sensor for measuring heave, roll and pitch
• Gyro compass for measuring yaw angles
• Positioning system
• Acquisition software
• Sound velocity probe for measuring the speed of sound at different depths
Typical MBES
Receiver
Acoustic Data/Sonar Processor
 Installation
• Swath sounder are generally used to create DTM with a very
high accuracy.
• Therefore a number of requirements have to be met.
• Amongst others is the installation of the swath sounder.
• In general the installation requirements for a swath sounder
are the following:-
– Sounder should be aligned as accurately as possible with the horizontal
and vertical axis of the measurement platform.
– Sounder should be installed as far away from equipment that generates
noise e.g. single beam e/s operating at the same frequency, engine etc.
– Multibeam is mounted deep enough below the water level so that will
not come above the water level during operation in normal wave
conditions.(between 0.5 to 1m below the water level when operating
inshore and > 1m below the keel when operating offshore.
Contd..
– Sounder should have a free field of vision over the entire swath range
and not be obstructed by the hull of the measurement platform.
– The position of the swath sounder in relation to the other survey
systems should be determined as accurately as possible. (offset)
– Although the mounting of the transducer is generally dictated by the
type of survey, consideration should be given to the fact that the
mulitbeam constructions does not hinder safe operation of the vessel.
 Installation
Sonar mounting

• Side mounting
• Bow mounting
• Moon Pool mounting
• Hull mounting
Side mounting

http://www.chustzsurveying.com/
 Side mounting

Advantages
• Easier to install
• Head can be brought up when not in use.
• Portability

Disadvantages
• Very susceptible to vibration and noise.
• Possible damage from other vessels and shoal
areas
• Harder to maintain multibeam calibration
 Bow mounting

http://www.maine.gov/
 Bow mounting

Advantages
• Far from noise.
• On center line of vessel, lever arms may work
better.

Disadvantages
• In rough seas, pitch motion can cause problems
• Being on the bow, less protection for the sonar
head.
• Can be harder to install.
Moon pool mounting
 Moon pool mounting

Advantages
• Combines a hull mounted with recoverable mount.
• Very little of pole is required to extend below the hull,
so usually very strong and free from pole vibration.
• Can be installed on the centre line of the vessel.

Disadvantages
• Require a vessel that can be modified for a moon pool.
• Usually more costly to install.
Hull mounting
 Hull mounting

Advantages
• Attached to the hull so usually very strong and
free from pole vibration.
• Can be installed on the centre line of the
vessel.
Disadvantages
• Require a vessel that can be modified for a
moon pool.
• Very costly to install.
• Vessel need to go for dry dock for mantainace
 Calibration – using the Patch Test
• This slide will explain the calibration of swath sounders using
a technique called Patch Test.
• It is a method of using a specific patch of bottom for
determining the alignment of the swath sounder.
• This technique which is described below is commonly used
with multibeam software.
• Before doing a multibeam calibration, all other additional
system should be calibrated in advance.
• Speed of sound profile also should be measured in the area
where the patch test will take place.
 3. MOUNTING ANGLE ERROR
• Altitude sensor were installed and offsets were measured
whilst the vessel was alongside at quayside. The calibration
ideal be done during the calm weather or less movement
at the quayside.

• The system was calibrated for mounting angle error with

period of time observation by using software. The plate
angle of this unit was measured and the calibrated result is
automatically stored in the unit.

• Motion Lever Arm Offsets were set into the altitude sensor
unit or into the acquisition software.
Example summary of result mounting angle error
MBES Calibration
(Patch Test)
 PURPOSE
• Patch test is a method of using a specific patch of bottom for
determining the alignment of swath

• To find the mounting angle errors (roll, pitch and heading) of

the multibeam tranducer(s)

• These errors should be checked at installation and regularly

afterwards to see if they are still valid.

• This calibration procedure can be used for all types of

multibeam systems.
• In order to do it, area with slope and flat area should be
used. Slope should be between 1:2 & 1:5 and flat area
should be as deep as possible.

• The following parameters can be determined:

a) Roll offset of sounder
b) Pitch offset of sounder
c) Yaw offset of sounder
d) Latency between positioning and swath sounder

• These can be found by sailing particular patterns.

Table of description of sailing pattern in Patch Test
Correction Survey line configuration
Roll Two lines total, comprising two lines run on single line at the
same speed in opposite directions over flat seabed.
Pitch Two lines total, comprising two lines run on single line at the same
speed in opposite directions over the slope/feature.
Heading Two lines total, comprising two lines run on two lines at the same
speed in same directions.
Latency Two lines run on single line with same direction. One at min
speed, another at max survey speed

* Latency (time) errors should be solved by the TTL device (or PPS device)
Figure of sailing
pattern for Patch
Test
Results of wrong mounting offsets

• Roll
- Both tilted but under opposite
angle

• Pitch
- Both with slope in different
place

• Yaw (Heading)
- Results looks the same as the
pitch error
• The following parameters can be determined using the patch
test:
– Latency between positioning system and swath sounder
– Roll offset of sounder
– Pitch offset of sounder
– Yaw offset of sounder
• An area with a slope and reasonably flat area should be used
in order to execute a patch test.
• The slope should be 1:2 and 1:5, while the flat area should be
as deep as possible.
• In order to determine all four parameters, a minimum of four
lines should be sailed over the slope/flat bottom combination
A slope and flat area
• The following combinations of lines are used to determine the
parameters:
– 1+2: Pitch determination on the slope. Roll determination on the flat
parts. An error in the pitch offset will display a shift of the measured
slope between the two sailed lines. An error in the roll offset will show
as an angle between the two measured bottoms.
– 1+3: Latency determination on the slope. Latency will show as a shift
in the measured profile between the slow and the fast line.
– 2+4: Yaw determination on the slope. An error in the yaw offset will
show as an angle in the top view of the measured slopes.
 Coverage
• The achieved coverage when using swath sounder depends
on the used sensor. The following sensor parameters
influence the achieved coverage:
– Swath sector
• The larger the swath sector, the wider the area cover
with one sailed line.
– Beam angle
– Maximum update rate
Singlebeam vs Multibeam
DATA COMPARISON
SBES VS MBES

DESO25 FS20
File Size 20KB 1.8MB
Soundings 399 49,000
Swath width Single line 95m
MBES
SBES SOUNDING LINE LAYOUT
5
10
15

20

In single beam surveying, lines are designed to run normal to a

slope. Due to the limits of a single beam, details of the slope are
better mapped running up and down slope. However, this can lead
to problems if the area to be mapped is in very shallow water.
MBES SOUNDING LINE LAYOUT
5
10
15

20

In multibeam surveying, lines are designed to run parallel to the contours.

This is done for various reason. Line spacing is a function of swath
coverage which is a function of water depth. Surveying parallel to a ridge
allows line spacing to remain the same. As water depth remains fairly
constant, surveying parallel to the contours, means less manipulation of
the range settings in the processor. As the swath goes far from the track of
the vessel, shallow areas can be mapped safely.
SINGLEBEAM SURVEY
MULTIBEAM SURVEY
MULTIBEAM SURVEY

Advantages

Shipping Channel

Single beam survey lines spacing based on scale

MULTIBEAM SURVEY

Advantages

Shipping Channel

Compare to the single beam lines which run across the channel, the
traffic in the channel will disturb the survey. However, with
multibeam survey the traffic are not a problem.
MULTIBEAM SURVEY

Advantages

SBES DATA
MBES DATA

Surveying in shallow areas, single beam is limited to where the

vessel can go. With multibeam, the area covered is much wider
than where the ship can go, so that very shallow water can be
surveyed safely.
Multibeam results
MULTIBEAM SURVEY
Example of wharf survey
(single line – one pass)
Multi Transducer Echo Sounder
Multi Transducer Echo Sounder
Multi Transducer Echo Sounder
 Boom

Water Surface

Transducer

COVERAGE 100%

Multi Transducer Echo Sounder

Ping Timing
The Principles of SOUNDING
These slides describe the general requirements and basic methods that
can be employed for manual in sounding operations.

PLANNING LINES OF SOUNDING

Sounding is the primary method by which the topography of the seabed is
determined.
It involves running along pre-determined tracks using an echo sounder to
continuously measure depth.
Position fixes are taken at regular intervals. Subsequently, the depths
obtained from the echo sounder can be related to the track followed and a
measured depth superimposed upon it.
Before commencing depth sounding operations, hydrographers must
decide on a plan. This plan must satisfy two basic requirements:

▪ It must provide for the delineation of the topography of the seabed in the
most economical and expedient manner.
▪ When it has been completed it must ensure that there is very little
possibility that dangers to navigation will have been overlooked.
 SCALE OF SURVEY
In general the scale on which the survey is conducted is dictated by a
combination of the nature of the bottom, the general depth, and the
complexity of the area.

LINE SPACING

Planned lines of sounding must cover the seabed in a precise manner.

They should therefore be straight or nearly straight and evenly spaced.
The accepted spacing interval in the RAN for lines of sounding is 5mm
on paper. The internationally accepted minimum is 10mm.
DIRECTION OF LINES

The direction of sounding lines should aim to satisfy the following criteria.
Lines should be run:
▪ at right angles to contours, and
▪ at right angles to coastlines.
However these may conflict with:
▪ the best direction for Side Scan Sonar,
▪ other sounding requirements, and
▪ navigational safety.

The above are guidelines, not rigid rules. It may be necessary to compromise
over conflicting requirements, for example, running lines parallel to contours
for boat's safety.
FIXING INTERVAL

Generally the fixing interval should be as short as possible and the boat's
speed as fast as possible, so long as it does not exceed the limits of
carefulness.
Manually plotted fixes should be spaced between 10-25mm apart on the fix
plot.
CROSSLINES

Crosslines are lines of soundings run at an angle (generally about 90°) to the
normal lines in a sounding plan at intervals of 20 times the line spacing of the
main line soundings.
Crosslines are run for the following reasons:

▪ to provide a check against work which has already been carried out,
▪ to define a contour line accurately, where for some reason the normal lines
fail to do this, and
▪ to define a shoal more fully than can be done by interlining normal lines of
sounding.