Kraken Debuts AquaPix MINSAS
By Marine Technology Reporter
Kraken Sonar Systems Inc. announced the development of AquaPix MINSAS, a next generation Miniature Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar designed for operation to depths of 3,000m. The system integrates the latest electronics, transducer arrays and signal processing software and is optimized for the demanding size, weight, power and cost constraints of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) and high speed towfish platforms.
MINSAS uses a subset of Kraken’s award-winning AquaPix INSAS transducer array, but has the addition of an innovative SAS gap filler transmitter that produces high resolution data in the nadir region. A lower frequency transmit element, unique to MINSAS, provides a SAS resolution gap fill directly under the platform. The transmitter and receiver elements are integrated into single monolithic arrays which are mounted close to the electronics module. The system also uses two rows of identical receiver elements to deliver precision bathymetry data.
The system will be provided in two configurations. MINSAS 60 uses a transducer array assembly that measures 60cm in length and is designed for AUVs with body diameters as small as 6 inches. MINSAS 120 uses a transducer array assembly that measures 120cm in length and is designed for larger AUVs as well as for high speed towfish operations. Both systems produce ultra-high resolution, real-time image quality with unparalleled sharpness. Advanced 3D motion compensation and beamforming technologies nullify blurring caused by platform motion.
www.krakensonar.com
(As published in the November/December 2013 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - www.seadiscovery.com)
February 2024
