DESCRIPTION

The EdgeTech 4300-MPX is a revolutionary side scan sonar capable of placing multiple sound pulses in the water simultaneously. As a result the system can perform surveys at speeds 4 times greater than a conventional side scan sonar or get 4 times as many pings on a target at the same speed. The 4300-MPX also boasts superior data, with an improved resolution of 40% over conventional sonars at long range, through the use of Dynamic Aperture Processing (DAP).

The 4300-MPX breaks the conventional range/ping period limitation of T0= 2R/C. The system uses up to 4 alternating, coded pulses in minimally different, but separate frequency bands for each side (port and starboard) firing at intervals as small as 4/T0. The technique employs an array with multiple elements per side which allows simultaneous transmit and receive capability. There is sufficient anti-pulse discrimination to reject both the transmit pulse and echo data from the out of phase pulses.

Proprietary array configuration and processing techniques are used to handle the normal receiver overload during each transmit pulse. The instantaneous dynamic range of the digitized data streams is 23 bits (~140dB), and requires no analog TVG (Time Varying Gain) correction prior to digitizing. The technique is applicable to all useful side scan sonar frequencies.

Its affordable price, combined with the 4300-MPX's ability to collect side scan data at greatly increased survey speeds, provides customers with a two fold savings - both in their initial capital expenditure, as well as in an ongoing reduction in costly survey times. The 4300-MPX's high-resolution data capability further adds to the systems diverse capabilities, and makes the system the idea tool for military Mine Countermeasures (MCM) and target identification applications.

The following graph illustrates the speed of coverage benefit of the 4300-MPX that meets the NOAA maximum tow speed specifications.

BENEFITS

Speed of Coverage: The 4300-MPX allows tow speeds 4 times faster than standard side scan sonar systems, with no missed data.

High Ping Rate: The 4300-MPX provides 4 times the data density for conventional system tow speeds. This translates into better target detection and classification abilities.

High Resolution: Dynamic Aperture Processing (DAP) beam sharpening provides improved resolution at range.

Low Acquisition Cost: the 4300-MPX is based on standard "chirp" sonar technology making the cost of the product much less expensive than existing high speed multi-beam sonars.

Low Life Cycle Cost: the 4300-MPX is innovative technology using much simpler electronics than comparable multi-beam side scan sonar techniques. This translates into lower training and spares costs.