How WASSP Multibeam Sonar works

WASSP is a multi-beam sonar that gives users the power to really see what’s below the boat.......

WASSP offers unparalleled accuracy, resolution and versatility in a cost-effective package suitable for vessels of every size. Wassp is a turn-key, complete multibeam sonar that will enable users to greatly enhance their understanding and knowledge of the marine environment,

Wassp multibeam sonars will accurately profile the water column and seafloor. It highlights reefs, wrecks, fish schools, seafloor hardness changes and foreign objects in the water column or on the seafloor. This information is presented in user-friendly displays, all controlled via a mouse and stored on computer hard drive for future use.

Wassp is available in two frequency options depending upon the required depth performance and resolution requirements from customers. Wassp WMB-160F is a 160kHz multibeam sonar for operation down to 200m depth. Wassp WMB-80F is an 80kHz multibeam sonar for operation down to 500m depth. Wassp WMB-80F is primarily designed for Commercial fisherman while Wassp WMB160F has three core customers groups – Commercial Fishing, Marine Professionals, Super Yacht.

A WASSP multibeam sonar system comprises of 3 modules – a transducer (incorporating separate transmit and receive arrays), a signal processing box (called a BTxR) and a standard Windows XP display PC (or laptop for portable applications). The WASSP operating software runs on the display PC and manages all functions of the multi-beam sonar, including display functions, storage of information and output of this information to third-party plotting systems. For full details see “Specifications”.

WASSP transducers can be permanently mounted to the vessel or deployed via a pole, depending on the vessel and application.

Wide coverage, high-resolution coverage

A powerful, patented transmitter pulses a sonar beam over a wide 120º swath port-starboard of the vessel with a pulse rate of up to eight pulses per second. The return sonar signals are received through a custom designed, phased array, receive transducer to resolve 112 dynamic beams within the 120º swath. The result is a multi-beam sonar system with very wide 120º port–starboard coverage, but also very high resolution delivered through the 112 beams.

Multibeam display options include real-time 3D view, 2D view, normal echosounder, sonar and side-scan sonar views. Each display view option can be presented in full screen or in split screen, to enable users to quickly and easily understand the detailed multibeam sonar information being generated by WASSP.

Importantly, sonar data is displayed in real time for immediate action by skippers with the ability to save seafloor profiles for future reference and to overlay these profiles on existing plotting programs.

Integration

To further improve WASSP performance, GPS compass, roll, pitch and heading, and sound speed inputs can be interfaced to improve seafloor-profiling accuracy. In addition, WASSP includes a built-in tide correction database for almost anywhere in the world, which along with careful attention to ship’s offset – the position of GPS sensor, transducer and roll center relative to the ship’s centerline – results in more accurate seafloor profiles and fish school location.

WASSP enables seabed profiling at up to 100 times the speed of conventional single-beam echo-sounders, with improved accuracy and significantly reduced cost.