Multibeam Echo Sounder

Multibeam technology uses sonar to emit sound waves and calculates the travel time (two-way travel time) for the waves to reflect back from the seabed or target, determining the distance traveled and thus obtaining depth information. Because multibeam sonar emits multiple fan-shaped beams (from hundreds to thousands), it covers a much wider area and operates more efficiently than single-beam echo sounders. However, the data processing is more complex. To accurately identify the correct travel time, signal characteristics such as frequency, phase, and beamforming are carefully considered.

Modern multibeam echo sounders not only provide terrain (elevation) data but also, through changes in the sound wave propagation within the water column and signals reflected and scattered from the seabed, can display water column information as well as seabed backscatter and side-scan images.

Shinkai Ken 1 is equipped with two multibeam echo sounder systems onboard: the shallow-water EM2040 and the deep-water EM304.