A multi-purpose multibeam sonar for ROV applications

ROVs are used for a wide range of tasks, many of which require sonar with specific capabilities (e.g., forward-looking imaging sonar for navigation, obstacle avoidance and intervention and downward-looking profiling sonar for pipeline pre- and post-lay surveys and bathymetric surveys). Most sonar units are designed for a specific purpose or application. As a result, ROV operators require multiple different types of sonar, each with unique requirements for mounting, power and telemetry, and unique human-machine interfaces requiring specialized training. The Kongsberg Mesotech M3 (Multi-Mode) Multibeam Sonar presented in this paper, has a customizable, data-driven, state-machine-based architecture, multi-channel, variable beam-pattern transmit transducers and a multi-function sonar processor that can render 2D image data and 3D point-clouds. It provides a range of capabilities that would normally require several different types of sonar. The M3 Sonar can be used for both forward-looking imaging and downward-looking profiling applications. This offers the benefits of increased operational flexibility and reduction of capital, training and logistics costs.