Tritech International Ltd has launched its next generation Gemini 720i multibeam imaging sonar. Gemini combines the benefits of long range detection with high-definition imaging techniques to produce outstanding results. With its lightweight, compact and robust design the Gemini can be easily deployed on most ROV and AUV platforms.

Weighing only 1.2 kg in the water, Gemini is ideal for ROV or AUV navigation and can be supplied with a Software Developers Toolkit (SDK) for autonomous control applications. Gemini is supplied with integrated Ethernet and VDSL communication modes which offer the option to communicate either through fibre optic cables or long distance twisted pair channels, depending on the configuration of the umbilical. All the sonar processing is carried out inside the subsea unit making it ideal for AUV control operations.

The introduction of a curved transmit transducer array ensures that acoustic energy power is evenly transferred across a wide swath imaging sector, thereby significantly speeding up search and navigation operations. To sharpen up the acoustic range resolution an innovative sound velocity sensor has been integrated into the design of Gemini to accurately monitor the local velocity of sound (VOS) conditions.

Building on Tritech’s reputation of customer-focused software interfaces, the Gemini architecture has been integrated into Tritech SeaNet Pro software making it compatible and easy to upgrade with the company’s range of survey and positioning sensors already deployed in the field.

Tritech’s Managing Director, Simon Beswick, commented on the launch:

“Gemini is a revolutionary product for subsea imaging, bringing extraordinary performance to our customers at a reasonable cost. The new multibeam technology will form the basis of a new range of very high performance products tailored to meet our customers’ requirements and complementing Tritech’s reference scanning sonars.”

Comments (0) »

Tritech is pleased to announce the launch of Horizon, an advanced product for multibeam seabed surveys.

 Horizon is a multibeam echo sounder (MBES) comprising a sonar head, surface processing unit and control software. Housed in a single compact and robust unit, it uses the very latest advances in acoustic time delay beamforming techniques to deliver high-quality survey data at an affordable cost.

 In shallow water, Horizon can be mobilised on a vessel to gather survey datasets at depths down to 120m.  For deep water survey operations the system can be deployed on an ROV platform.  Horizon operates at a frequency of 240 kHz and has a wide swath coverage of 120 degrees. Where required, two Horizon sonar heads can be easily linked together to form a dual-head system for maximum and uninterrupted swath coverage. Extremely fast ping rates of up to 100Hz, combined with pitch correction, allows Horizon to be used for higher speed survey operations without compromising along-track data density and resolution.

Horizon software real time waterfall display

The Horizon system accepts motion sensor data input to give a fully corrected sonar image, which can be viewed as an online waterfall display. This unique method of visualising the raw data provides the user with an instantaneous non-digitised image of the seabed – ensuring all features of interest are observed.

Data gathered by Horizon is exported in real-time via a network connection to third-party software packages such as Hypack/Hysweep and PDS2000.

Third party software terrain map from Horizon data, showing rock dump and exposed pipeline

Tritech’s Sales and Marketing Director, Maurice Fraser, commented on the launch:

 “The addition of Horizon to Tritech’s multibeam product portfolio affirms our commitment to deliver new and innovative products to the market.  Horizon offers excellent acoustic resolution with multiple applications for seabed survey and inspection, complements our successful Eclipse and Gemini multibeam sonars, and cements our position as one of the major multibeam sonar manufacturers in the world.”

Comments (0) »

StarFish 450-Series side scan systems can now be interfaced directly to HYPACK 2009. The interface is available within the HYPACK 2009a/2009 Service Pack 1 releases.

Tritech’s low cost, high performance StarFish 450 sonars coupled with the extended features offered within the HYPACK software package provide professional StarFish users with the power they crave.

Laurie Smith, Managing Director of Del Norte Technology Ltd has championed the interface. Laurie quickly recognised the power of combining both products using his wealth of knowledge as a leading StarFish distributor and HYPACK’s European Distributor of the year. Laurie commented:

“StarFish SSS enhances everything that Del Norte Technology Ltd (DNTL) does with the in-shore and harbour hydrographic survey industry. Now that DNTL have interfaced Starfish into HYPACK software for control, data collection and processing, the enhancement becomes even more versatile to provide the complete shallow water side scan survey package.

“It’s used for wreck search, debris location, dock wall inspection and accident search and recovery in near shore, docks, lakes and other waterways, with geodesy and position controlled by HYPACK. The Starfish data can then be imported into S57/S63 Arcs and Google Earth after mosaicing within HYPACK. The team at DNTL are very excited about the future for this very cost effective survey solution.”

The Starfish interface will be available in all HYPACK software packages, however, the two recommended packages for StarFish users are HYPACK SURVEY (for survey planning, navigation & positioning, real-time data collection, display and targeting) and HYPACK MAX (complete navigation & positioning, data collection and data processing including side scan mosaicing). Customers who purchase HYPACK SURVEY can upgrade to HYPACK MAX at any time.

Existing HYPACK users who have subscribed to the HYPACK Maintenance Plan will receive the HYPACK 2009 Service Pack 1 program update and any future updates.

For more information about HYPACK products please visit www.hypack.com

Comments (0) »