Hydro-Tech has launched the MS8240, a next generation Multibeam Echo Sounder capable of working at multiple frequencies from 150 kHz to 450kHz, adjustable at 10Hz step.
The MS8240 can also operate high frequencies of 500kHz and 600kHz, or optional for 700kHz. This Multibeam platform aims to revolutionize the previous single frequency multibeam roadmap through more flexible working frequencies, while enabling ultra-high resolution and fine target features at 500, 600 or 700kHz, with super-wide sounding range of depth at 150kHz.
To allow more customers to experience the excellent performance of the MS8240, Hydro-Tech carried out a sea trial of various frequencies and a comparison test to a world leading brand’s famous model, which will remain anonymous and be referred to as “RX”.
The test was done in a river around a bridge, where water depth is from 8 to 13 meters.
The company used its latest survey and data acquisition software, which is able to show the 3D point cloud in real-time.
Below is the result of 400kHz at left and 600kHz at right side.
Here, customers can compare the following result of Hydro-Tech on the left and the result of RX on the right.
If viewed from the top, MS8240 can see the foot edge of the bridge pier clearly.
Even with the right angle of the bridge column to the bottom foundation and the step on the side edge of the bottom foundation, MS8240 can record the exact shape with exceptional clarity.
Looking at the results from RX, the right angle turns to be slightly curved and the side edges of the bottom foundation are somewhat blurred. Of course, since its points scatter on flat riverbed averagely, the area’s result looks very satisfying.
From this test, Hydro-Tech is proud that the MS8240 can display the corner of underwater construction accurately and retain more details in small target detection. This may be largely due to the non-smoothing processing that the company has insisted on for years, despite the algorithm being much harder to reach and the survey data not looking as good at times. Our mission is to explore the real underwater planet no matter whether it is a chaos.
Conclusions
MS8240’s major specifications, including swath sector, maximum Ping rate, maximum sounding depth and bathymetric performance are nearly the same as the world-leading multibeam.
MS8240’s working frequency covers a wider frequency range, which means its potential future applications are more diversified.
MS8240’s ultra-high resolution and super clean data enable it to capture the fine target feature at a similar performance as the world leading multibeam.
MS8240 has lower power consumption, the deck unit is smaller, and it is much easier to install onto various platforms.
