GPS/GNSS Solutions

Hydrography

Modern hydrography is the science of "sea geography" in its most comprehensive sense. It includes sea bottom mapping, as well as tide and current measurement, the study of sea level evolution and seabed sedimentology. Whether the survey site is along the coasts, in ports or in deep sea waters, the quality of data collection is highly reliant on the performance of the sensors that are installed onboard the survey vessel.

One of several types of echo sounder using one or more beams generally provides the primary measurement, usually of water depth. These sounders can sound up to seven times the water depth in a single profile. Whatever the type of sensor used, the depth measurement alone is useless without being closely related to a synchronous and precise position within a specified reference coordinate system.

Positioning techniques have evolved from optical positioning techniques in the 1970's to beacon-based radio-electric systems such as SYLEDIS or AXYLE in the 1980's. Since the beginning of the 1990's, real-time differential GPS (DGPS) has been meeting the needs of a growing number of applications in the field of hydrography, and current kinematic techniques can now offer real-time centimeter accuracy.In deep-sea oceanography applications, meter accuracy is typically required.

Small-scale coastal surveys are carried out with single or dual-frequency sounders. They usually require sub-meter positioning precision within a maximum area of several tens of kilometers from the coast. The Magellan Sagitta^TM provides a turnkey solution for this type of application with integrated data links for differential corrections.

Large-scale bathymetry generally makes use of multi-beam sounders combined with inertial reference systems for attitude compensation. These surveys also require centimeter-accurate positioning for compensating tidal effect in real-time as well as delivering perfect plane positioning. The dual-frequency Aquarius with LRK^TM technology provides high performance that extends up to a 40-kilometer range.

Magellan offers a wide range of professional GPS solutions, ideal for Hydrography.

• ADU5

  Setting a new standard for attitude determination and real-time positioning, the advanced ADU5^TM delivers unsurpassed accuracy in a rugged, full-function system. ADU5 provides precise heading, pitch and roll along with three-dimensional position and velocities at a rate of up to 5 Hz for both static and dynamic platforms.  More

  Featured Highlights

  • 14-channel receiver
  • Embedded 2-channel 300 KHz beacon receiver
  • Instantaneous 3-D attitude information
  

• Aquarius

  Aquarius^® is the ultimate answer to the expectations of the rigorous and demanding world of Marine Surveying. With the dual-frequency LRK^® technology, the standard for outstanding performance, you get fast, real-time centimeter-level positioning and fully operational radio link up to 40 kilometers. Aquarius also comes in a single-frequency version featuring KART^TM technique.  More

  Featured Highlights

  • Fast, real-time centimeter-level positioning
  • High performance UHF link
  • Relative OTF mode
  

• Aquarius²

  Aquarius² provides a new dimension to marine surveying: precise heading, up to 0.01°, at the same time as LRK kinematic positioning for unrivalled levels of performance. With the dual-frequency LRK® technology, you get fast, real-time centimeter-level positioning and fully operational radio link up to 40 kilometers. With LRK, you will be able to work at greater distances than conventional RTK.  More

  Featured Highlights

  • Real-time centimeter-level accuracy and precise heading
  • Long range kinematic positioning
  • Backupâ„¢ feature for extreme position availability.