How one company is paving the way for 3D Sonar Technology using Screaming Circuits service.

1. 21st Century Navigation Now
Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology

2. because he was equipped with a forward-looking 3-dimensional
(3D) sonar system that clearly showed the depths of the shoreline
in real time.
With 3D sonar technology, the captain was able to see shallow depths immediately along
the shore where as his traditional navigation chart indicated deeper water in the same
area. Ultimately, he was thankful for the 3D sonar system that helped him avoid grounding
his vessel.
21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
A ship’s captain was traveling around
the coast of Greenland on a 39-meter
expedition yacht during the spring of
2013. For many years, this route had
been challenging to navigate due to
underwater obstacles, ice floes and
varying shallow depths.
Despite these risks, the captain
was calm and confident

3. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
Sonar devices that look forward in 3D are
starting to gain attention with mariners,
especially with cruise lines and
superyachts. FarSounder, a small
manufacturing company, based in Warwick,
Rhode Island develops the technology. The
company began in 2001 with the purpose
of showing navigators what lies beneath
the waterline as they approach.
Prior to FarSounder 3D sonar technology, a ship’s navigation system relied on traditional
depth sounders, radar and navigation charts. The limitations with depth sounders
include only being able to look straight down while radar only reveals what is above the
surface. Navigation maps are static and can only show the most recent survey's data.
FarSounder 3D technology scans underwater with a 60 – 90-degree view up to 1,000
meters ahead using custom algorithms that create a vivid 3D display.

4. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
As FarSounder’s senior electrical engineer,
Matthew Coolidge began working with
FarSounder in 2002. When speaking about
users of his 3D sonar technology, Coolidge
says,
“For our customers, it’s
kind of like they are
gaining a superpower.”

5. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
Today that “superpower” works because of the advanced electronics and tight design
cycles that allow the 3D sonar to function. Coolidge explains, “Our prototype
manufacturing partner, Screaming Circuits, has been instrumental in bringing our 3D
sonar systems to life quickly. Faster prototype builds allow 3D sonar devices to be built
and shipped to the customer much sooner than the traditional manufacturing option.
Coolidge adds,
“Screaming Circuits is also highly responsive to our needs,
especially when timing is critical.”

6. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
Many of FarSounder’s customers are
cruise ships or superyachts that are
eager to explore remote and less
traveled areas, including rivers and
narrow depth passages. Coolidge
explains,
“Until recently, the rule of
thumb has been to follow the
bigger boat.
Now that approach has changed because, with FarSounder, it’s
like having a secret map that displays all the finite details that
are usually left out.”

7. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
Although not a requirement by the
International Maritime Organization
(IMO) for ocean-going vessels, Coolidge
argues the incidents of ship collision
and grounding may become infrequent
or avoided altogether when 3D sonar
technology is onboard.
Charter captains and cruise ship lines are recognizing the competitive advantage
that FarSounder technology offers. They can now create opportunities for safe
travel to areas previously avoided due to tricky navigation and shallow water
obstacles. For cruise passengers looking to explore remote areas, FarSounder 3D
sonar opens up many new route possibilities.

8. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
With several patents on file, FarSounder’s 3D sonar technology is unique in the
marketplace. Its 3D sonar products include sensors with detection ranges from 500
to 1000 meters and run on the company’s SonaSoft software. The 3D sonar
equipment includes a sensor that mounts onto the bow of the vessel. This unit
houses sophisticated electronics on five custom printed circuit boards for the
FarSounder-500 and seven PCBs for the FarSounder-1000 model.
In either installation, the hardware for each sensor is the
same. Screaming Circuits played a key role while we designed
those hardware components, and they continue to deliver
production boards to us today.”

9. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
The expedition yacht traveling around Greenland used FarSounder 3D sonar to
display the contours of the seafloor, including reefs and suspended objects in the
water. The system also showed a multitude of small and medium chunks of floating
ice that traditional depth sounders have difficulty detecting.
The captain said that he would never go to areas of ice again
without having the FarSounder system onboard.

10. 21st Century Navigation Now Benefiting From 3D Sonar Technology
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go to blog.screamingcircuits.com