New Digital CHIRP Side Scan Sonar System

Falmouth Scientific, Inc. (FSI) has launched its new HMS-624 digital CHIRP Side Scan Sonar System, offering dual simultaneous 100/400 KHz frequency operation.

“A large percentage of our engineering and production teams, including VP of Engineering Fred Hegg and me, worked at Datasonics developing the first Digital CHIRP side scan sonar as well as their sub-bottom profiling systems” said FSI’s President and Chief Engineer, John Baker. “Our portfolio of products and systems are a reflection of that wealth of experience combined with today’s advanced technologies.”

The new HMS-624 leverages these advanced technologies to provide superior imaging capabilities for deep and shallow water applications, the manufacturer said. The Tow Fish electronics incorporate FSI’s CHIRPceiver 24-bit CHIRP signal processing, which results in high resolution side scan data at towing depths up to 2,000 meters.

The Topside Power/Data Multiplexer Interface is packaged in a standard 2U 19” rack mount enclosure and provides a 4Mb/s DSL connection for the Tow Fish and a standard Ethernet connection for the data processing computer.

The system uses a flexible control interface that allows the user to set operating parameters such as CHIRP/CW modes, pulse length, range and gain.

The system is compatible with third-party software packages such as OIC GeoDAS, Triton ISIS and others. 

The HMS-624 rounds out FSI’s CHIRPceiver Family of side scan, sub-bottom and combined sonar systems.