GeoSwath 4R USV offers efficient simultaneous swath bathymetry and side scan mapping using an unmanned remotely operated surface vehicle. The market leading wide swath sonar system - GeoSwath Plus, has been closely integrated with ancillary sensors and communication links into a proven remote controlled platform for quick and easy deployment and operation. This remote hydrographic survey boat allows surveying in locations and situations in which deployment of conventional platforms is not practicable or hazardous.
Sonar and ancillary sensors
GeoSwath 4R is a phase measuring bathymetric sonar that delivers high resolution wide swath bathymetry data with bottom coverage of up to 12 times the water depth. Accuracies have been shown to exceed IHO standards for hydrographic surveys. In addition co-registered and geo-referenced side scan data is acquired that allows easy object detection and bottom characterisation. It is integrated with a GPS position and heading sensor, a motion reference unit and a sound velocity sensor.
USV platform
The Z-Boat 1800 remote hydrographic survey boat serves as a proven and reliable platform. Its dimensions and weight allow for easy mobilisation with minimal infrastructure. Its electric motors provide a survey speed of up to 4 knots with 2.5 hours endurance on a single interchangeable battery pack. Optionally KONGSBERG offers bespoke integrations for customer supplied platforms.
Communications and system operation
The USV is radio controlled up to a range of 1.5 km. The sonar is operated using GS4 software installed on a laptop connected via a radio modem with a data rate exceeding 100 Mbps. The software package has been specifically developed for GeoSwath 4R . It serves for mission planning and execution as well as data acquisition and processing of the final bathymetry maps and side scan mosaics. The data is broadcast and saved on the local USV hard drive to ensure uninterrupted data files for post processing.