Kongsberg Maritime’s next generation multibeam echosounder the EM 2040 is now available with the HUGIN 1000 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle – AUV. With improved resolution and depth rating of 6000 metres, this provides a substantial improvement from the EM 2000 used in deep-water HUGIN versions up to now. This solution also gives substantial advantages compared to the EM 3002 used in HUGIN vehicles rated to 1000 metres.
The EM 2040 integrated with HUGIN AUV uses a single RX transducer system, which gives a maximum coverage sector of 140 degrees. The system has a large frequency range and can operate at 200, 300 or 400 kHz. All modes are available with the HUGIN 1000. At 400 kHz the echosounder can operate on an internal trigger, resulting in ping rates exceeding 20 Hz at low altitude. At low altitude with a 0.7 degree resolution, 25 μs pulse length and dynamic focusing, resolution and sounding spacing is better than 10×10 cm. The EM 2040 has so far been used on a HUGIN 1000 operated by WTD71, a research institution under the German MoD, and with one of Kongsberg Maritime’s own HUGIN 1000 vehicles. Several sea trials have been conducted in April and May both in Horten and Eckernförde in Germany. The results are very promising.
[mappress] Source: kongsberg., June 17, 2011;