Description
The Cerulean Surveyor is a multibeam echosounder that transforms the BlueBoat into a powerful bathymetry and seafloor mapping machine. What sets the Surveyor apart from other multibeam sonars is its affordability, offering high-precision sonar technology at a fraction of the cost.
What is a Multibeam Echosounder?
A multibeam echosounder is a type of sonar used to map the seafloor or underwater terrain. Unlike a single beam echosounder, which only measures one point of depth directly beneath it, a multibeam echosounder captures many depth points at once to quickly map an area in detail.
Mapping the Depths
The Surveyor works by sending out 240 kHz sound waves in a wide 80-degree swath, allowing it to map large areas quickly. It then uses a 16-element receive array to listen for the returning echoes. By measuring the strength and time of each return, the system calculates the angle and depth of a wide swath of points on the seafloor from a single ping. It typically measures depths up to 50 meters below the vessel, with even greater range possible in ideal conditions.
Combined with the forward motion of the vessel, these depth points form a point cloud, which is used to create a detailed 3D map of the underwater terrain.
A built-in 9-axis inertial measurement unit provides pitch and roll compensation, so the movement of the BlueBoat won’t distort the data, even in choppy waters. The aluminum housing is depth rated to 300 meters, so it can also be used on AUVs (but this will require different parts!).
Streamlined Data with SonarView
The Surveyor works with Cerulean’s SonarView software, which is available as a BlueOS extension. SonarView provides a real-time point cloud visualization of your data while surveying. SonarView collects heading and GNSS position data from the BlueBoat and combines it with the depth measurements to accurately place each point in its correct geographic location.
All sonar data is logged directly on the BlueBoat and can be replayed or exported as CSV point cloud data or GSF for post-processing in software like:
- ReefMaster or SonarWiz to generate maps
- point cloud viewing software like CloudCompare
- most hydrographic survey software
Built for BlueBoat
When purchased directly from the Reef, the Surveyor comes with a mounting bracket and all the hardware and cables needed for installation on the BlueBoat. The Surveyor connects to the BlueBoat via Ethernet, so you’ll also need an Ethernet switch onboard. We’ve got a full integration guide with all the details to make setup easy.
Contents
- 1 x Cerulean Surveyor 240-16 Multibeam Echosounder
- 1 x Surveyor 240-16 mounting bracket
- 1 x 600 mm JST GH to JST GH Ethernet extension cable (BR-103531-600)
- 1 x 400 mm power extension cable (BR-103533)
- 1 x 5A Mini Blade fuse (BR-101401-005)
- 2 x Inline snap connector (BR-103548)
- 2 x M6 nylon insert lock nut (BR-101258)
- 2 x BlueBoat Hull Mount Bushing
- 2 x M6x20 socket head cap screw (BR-102241)
- 4 x M5x18 socket head cap screw (BR-101191)
- 1 x M10 bulkhead nut & -013 O-ring (BR-100167-010)
- 1 x 150 mm JST GH to JST GH twisted pair cable
- 1 x 4-position JST GH to JST GH coupler (BR-100509)
- 1 x RJ45 to to JST GH adapter
