SV1503 Omnidirectional Multibeam Imaging Sonar

The SV1503A omnidirectional multibeam sonar is a versatile multibeam sonar capable of 360° omnidirectional imaging.

This sonar can be used as an omnidirectional imaging sonar for detecting underwater and water-column targets, fundamentally changing the traditional usage model of forward-looking sonars. When used for underwater target search, the vehicle can scan surrounding targets without turning. When used for monitoring moving underwater targets, the frame rate can exceed 30fps, enabling simultaneous detection of targets in all directions and greatly enhancing detection efficiency.

This sonar is available with a choice of low and high frequencies. The low frequency provides a longer detection range, but with a wider vertical beam angle and slightly lower resolution, making it suitable for SLAM and target detection. The high frequency provides a narrower vertical beam angle and higher resolution, but with a shorter detection range, ideal for close-range, detailed imaging. In addition to omnidirectional detection, the sonar head is equipped with a collision avoidance sensor that measures the distance to targets ahead, enabling collision avoidance and ranging.

A dedicated pipeline configuration option is also available. With a vertical beam angle of approximately 2°, this pipeline configuration functions as an omnidirectional multibeam echosounder, performing high-speed cross-section scans of a space and constructing a 3D model through the vehicle's motion. Typical applications include pipeline inspection, tank inspection, and SLAM. Compared to traditional mechanical scanning sonars, the pipeline configuration delivers a detection speed of up to 50 frames per second with no trade-off between resolution and scanning time. This allows pipeline robots to operate at high speed with high precision, achieving detection efficiency hundreds of times higher than that of mechanical scanning sonars. In SLAM applications, an AUV/ROV can construct a full omnidirectional scene in tens of milliseconds instead of several seconds or tens of seconds, significantly enhancing situational awareness.

1. Imaging Sonar Specifications

Center frequency: 1.2MHz or 1.8MHz, software-switchable; other frequencies customizable;

Detection range: 50m (1.2MHz), 25m (1.8MHz);

Range setting: 1–60m, continuously adjustable;

Minimum range resolution: 2.5mm;

Horizontal center beam width: 1.5° (1.2MHz), 1° (1.8MHz);

Horizontal detection coverage: 360°;

Vertical beam angle (1.8MHz): 12° (standard), 2° (pipeline type);

Vertical beam angle (1.2MHz): 20°;

Refresh rate: up to 30Hz (standard type, at 1.8MHz, range <20m); 50Hz (pipeline type, at 1.8MHz, range <10m);

Number of beams: 512;

Blind zone: ≤10cm;

2. Collision Avoidance / Ranging Sonar Specifications

Center frequency: 2.2MHz;

Detection range: 20m;

Ranging resolution: 1cm;

Beam width: 2°;

Refresh rate: up to 10Hz;

Blind zone: ≤30cm;

3. Built-in Sensors

Outputs sonar yaw, pitch, and roll angles;

Sensor dimensions: 3-axis acceleration, 3-axis angular velocity, and 3-axis magnetic field;

Measurement range: yaw and roll: ±180°, pitch: ±90°;

4. Electrical Interface

Input voltage: 18 – 40VDC;

Power consumption: average approx. 20W;

Electrical interface: 1 × 100M Ethernet (for sonar data, control, etc.);

Communication protocol: "Forward-Looking Sonar Ethernet General Communication Protocol";

External connector: 1 × underwater connector for network, synchronization, and power signals;