Water

The Surveyor 240-16 is a 240 kHz multibeam echo sounder (MBES). It has a transmit beam approximately 4 degrees along the track, 80 degrees across the track, and a 16-element receive array.

Surveyor 240-16 utilises an angle-of-arrival estimation algorithm to measure the cross-track location of specific acoustic reflectors well in excess of the accuracy achievable with conventional beam-forming techniques. Depending on the range and acoustic properties of the bottom, Surveyor typically identifies 10-15 acoustic targets across the track within a swath width of 80 degrees. The position and depth of these targets are then accurately calculated by range and angle of arrival.

The surveyor includes a built-in IMU for pitch and roll. Heading and coordinates for data geotagging are provided from the drone-skyhub combination. Due to the nature of the acoustic data, the effective use of the MBES requires a good appreciation of the sound velocity for each surveyed water body. We recommend that Teledyne Valeport SWiFT SVP (you can find this sensor in our solution list on this product page)

Drone-deployed sonar allows acquiring seamless UAV bathymetry data of coastal and inland water bodies.

• 240kHz Acoustic Frequency
• Operates in water depths of 50 cm (0.5 m) to 50 m
• Along-track TX beam width – 4 degrees
• Cross-track TX beam width – 80 degrees
• Cross-track beam width – 7 degrees (conventional beaming)
• Cross-track angular resolution – 1 degree
• Range resolution – 0.5% of range setting
• RX array # elements – 16
• Effective solution weight: 2.4 kg
• BeamworX processing software
• Rapid setup within 20 mins
• Live data feed via UgCS SkyHub 3
• Suitable for M300/M350 RTK
• For effective use – a sound velocity profiler required

This ECT400S 450 kHz single frequency system is easy to transport and deploy and has the ability to operate in hard-to-reach locations, unsafe or hazardous environments.

The drone makes bathymetric surveys 10 times faster and 2 times more cost-efficient compared with a standard approach using a boat or an unmanned surface vehicle (USV).

Drone-deployed sonar allows acquiring seamless UAV bathymetry data of coastal and inland water bodies.

• 450kHz single frequency
• Operates in water depths of 30 cm to 100 m
• Beam width Conical (-3dB): 5 deg
• Solution weight: 2.4 kg
• Hydromagic software bundle
• Drag and Grasshopper deployment
• Rapid setup within 10 mins
• Live data feed via UgCS SkyHub 3
• Suitable for M300/M350 RTK
• Provides bathymetry data

This ECT DO52S dual-frequency system is easy to transport and deploy and has the ability to operate in hard-to-reach locations and unsafe or hazardous environments.

The drone makes bathymetric surveys 10 times faster and 2 times more cost-efficient compared with a standard approach using a boat or an unmanned surface vehicle.

Not only does this system enable rapid UAV bathymetry data of coastal and inland water bodies, but it can also investigate organic bed deposits like those found in sludge ponds and provide indications on river channel erosion or soft sediment deposit rates.

• 50 kHz and 200 kHz dual frequency
• Operates in water depths of 1 m to 200 m
• Beam width conical (-3 dB): 27°/7° (50 kHz/200 kHz)
• Solution weight: 2.7 kg
• Hydromagic software bundle
• Drag and Grasshopper deployment
• Rapid setup within 10 mins
• Live data feed via UgCS SkyHub 3
• Suitable for M300/M350 RTK
• Provides bathymetry & soft sediment data

EchoLogger ECT D24S dual-frequency echo sounder with tilt and temperature sensor, harness, housing, and mountings for the drone. The echo sounder cable is protected by a plastic sleeve which also supports the echo sounder and housing weight.

ECT D24S has optimal combination of frequencies for bathymetry in shallow ponds/lakes/rivers with a lot of seaweeds. For 200 kHz it will report continuous reflection from the bottom; 450 kHz allows to “cover” shallow areas where low frequency will be useless because of the natural dead zone.

• 200 kHz and 450 kHz dual frequency
• Operates in water depths of 0.3 m to 200 m (0.3 m for 200 kHz/0.5 for 200 kHz)
• Beam width conical (-3 dB): 10°/5° (200 kHz/450 kHz)
• Solution weight: 1.9 kg
• Hydromagic software bundle
• Drag and Grasshopper deployment
• Rapid setup within 10 mins
• Live data feed via UgCS SkyHub 3
• Suitable for M300/M350 RTK
• Provides accurate bathymetry in bed weed conditions

The Valeport SWiFT SVP is a simple-to-use device which measures not only sound speed but also temperature. Water temperature by depth can be used to correct GPR bathymetry data, because the speed of electromagnetic waves in the water depends largely on temperature.

• A speed of sound correction can be a requirement for engineering surveys, as it is a direct contributor to the depth error and uncertainty.
• This sound velocity profiler is a relatively simple device, which measures the speed of sound in the water at the depth of the sensor.

The integrated system with the Geolux radar level sensor uses radar technology to provide a precise contactless measurement of the distance from the sensor to the water level.

The radar altimeter can be flown in autonomous mode at an altitude of 30-40 metres along the river and provides water surface elevation profiles with centimetre accuracy. Because water is an excellent reflector of microwaves, the radar return will be dominated by water targets.

Typical applications:

• Water level monitoring for rivers, channels, and lakes
• Water reservoir monitoring and irrigation control
• Observing the level of various fluids in the chemical industry
• Monitoring levels in wastewater, industrial applications

The Integrated System with Surface Velocity Radar uses radar technology to provide contactless measurement of surface flow velocity.

The main advantage of using a sensor on a UAV is the ability to perform measurements in hard-to-reach places without existing infrastructure. The entire process is automated thanks to the onboard computer SkyHub and UgCS Mission Planning software. The sensor installed on the UAV can perform measurements at a specified point.

This CSVR utilises a doppler radar that enables airborne measurement of surface flow velocity in rivers and streams at high spatial resolution. The radar (based on the Geolux RSS-2-300W) operates at the safe frequency – K band in the region of 24.125 GHz. The system has all the necessary EN approvals.

Live Data

With direct connection to the UGC’S SkyHub onboard computer, measured data is transferred in real-time to the survey crew. The bulk of the data is recorded safely on the SkyHub for post-flight download and processing using the Geolux Configurator application.

How it works

Due to the Doppler effect, the frequency shift between the transmitted and reflected electromagnetic wave is proportional to the relative velocity between the radar instrument and the water surface. As the UAV is placed in a holding position while the measurement is being made, the frequency shift is proportional to the flow velocity of the water at the surface.

Applications

• Existing channel dataset validation
• Channel erosion investigations
• Water catchment flow behaviour
• Rapid catchment deployment missions
• Channel discharge monitoring
• General flood prevention studies
• Hydrological and hydrographic research,
• Environmental monitoring
• Engineering projects in water supply

The radar operates in K-band (24.075 GHz to 24.175 GHz), providing flow speed readings ten times per second.

For further information, please get in touch for the technology development papers: info@jbuas.co.uk.

All our SBES echosounders now come with the ‘speed fin’ system that enables echosounding surveys to be conducted at a delightful 1.5 m/second. This new fin arrangement enables the drones to conduct surveys on par with USVs but be deployable to water much faster (in under 20 minutes).

Key Features:

• Existing older echosounders can be refitted for a new body and fin system
• Easy to install, and simply take it off for G Mode (echo sounder) surveys
• 1.5 m/sec – faster than a brisk walking pace
• Deployable in under 20 minutes on DJI enterprise drones
• Unlike USV, this approach does not need a riverside/lakeside clearing for deploying the technology

A UAV water sampling system for efficient and rapid deployment.

Traditional methods require direct access to the water body, and samples are gathered from the shore, pier, bridge, or by boat. Acquiring samples at some distance from the bank without a boat or ship is now possible quickly. This UAV remote sampling system enables water sampling at long distances from the shore.

• Fully automated
• Sampling points precisely repeated
• Different sampling depths to suit need
• A few km from shore within easy reach

AQUAMAPPER is based on the tried and trusted UgCS SkyHub TTF core system architecture. It also utilises as standard the Echologger software for post-flight data processing. Using an onboard GNSS receiver, the position of the echosounder is known for accurate results. AQUAMAPPER is ideal for flying bathymetry missions on inland waterways.

• High survey speed up to 4 m/sec
• Accuracy up to 5cm X, Y, Z
• Quick deploy, ready for use in 10 minutes
• PPK ready solution
• Open sea bathymetric survey up to 100 m depth
• Weight 2.5 kg

This sonar system is a rapidly deployable solution for freshwater applications such as those found in rivers, streams, and lakes, and saltwater applications such as tidal rivers, estuaries, and coasts.

• This drone systems utilises UgCS SkyHub and can therefore store data with timestamps and geo-locations for post-processing.
• Answers questions previously only possible by deploying a remote submersible vessel or diving team, saving considerable time and cost.
• Made possible through the seamless integration of proven and trusted technology: UgCS Pro, UgCS SkyHub and True Terrain Following (TTF), and Imagenex sonar technology at 300 kHz and 800 kHz.