Overview

The 5-D and 6-D Echoscope PIPE^® sonars embed the Company’s new innovative high-powered and extensible real-time parallel processing engine. The current Echoscope^® variants in the market can output up to 16,384 points per ping within the sonars field of view using a single set of processing parameters. In our new 5-D and 6-D sonars we can, amongst other things, capture (for offline beamforming) and process the full backscatter (3D time series) data of up to 81 million points per ping and also make this data available in real-time for top-end visualization and processing. Supported by a range of advanced signal processing options, Echoscope PIPE^® is revolutionary as it allows our customers to access the entirety of the available sonar data for multiple simultaneous outputs such as multiple 4D Images with different processing and/or the full backscatter (time series) output given much greater range and image fidelity – all from a single sensor in real-time. From complex live operations to autonomous vehicle data collection missions, this technology and capability presents a paradigm shift for marine and ocean monitoring and mapping.

This ground-breaking technology’s ability to process all of the acoustic 3D backscatter data (up to 81 million points per ping (180x180x2,500)) within the viewing volume is CODA’s 5-D full-time series capability. Processing the complete backscatter volume now offers extended range, coverage and density of targets with the ability to detect multiple targets within a single beam footprint (in 4D) and provide critical amplitude data around targets and seabed such as layers or marine growth or sediment penetration.

The Company’s new 6-D system builds on the 5-D full-time series and allows parallel and sequenced real-time processing and visualizing of many 4D real-time images at the same time, using different processing parameters. 4D images can be processed by varying settings including field of view, range windows, beam detection method and many acoustic and beamforming filter options. The Echoscope PIPE^® series of sonars, allows various real time beamforming options to allow users to get the best outcome. One such option is the Advanced Beamforming which allows users to change in real time the Field of View to optimize the imaging of the target and also manage the number of beams on target (example increasing beam density), thus improving resolution and definition of the underwater objects being imaged. 

Significantly Echoscope PIPE^® can provide these multiple 4D imaging outputs in parallel over the network allowing different users to subscribe to the different image outputs they require.

As an example, a single Echoscope^® 5-D or 6-D sensor can deployed on a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for complex infrastructure mapping in an oilfield and can deliver real time volumetric outputs simultaneously such as a near field high resolution range 4D image for building 3D models of the infrastructure or seabed, and a second 4D image set to far range with a narrower field of view for obstacle avoidance. Additionally, the system can capture the full 5-D Backscatter data for further offline processing in PIPE to detect oil patches on the seafloor or gas leaks from pipelines.

The ability to specify these multiple image requirements ahead of survey or inspection with the specific beamforming parameters and beam detection methods can mean that PIPE could make redundant a number of other sensors – reducing complexity, power consumption and weight and cutting significantly costs and increasing productivity.

For more information on this ground-breaking new technology from Coda Octopus, please contact a member of our sales team.