Frequently Asked Questions

How many transducers are installed with your system? Are there moving parts?

One Transducer Module is installed and there are no moving parts. We use advanced software algorithms to build a 3D image from our single static transducer.

How much training is required to use FarSounder’s sonar?

Our primary requirement is that the system is easy to use. Typically, a user can be up and running with the system after a brief training session. We offer complimentary online training to all customers and users.

Do your systems see far enough to be useable while underway? Will I have enough time to respond when it detects a hazard?

Yes. FarSounder’s systems have been specifically designed to be used while the vessel is underway. With 1000 meters of range and operational speeds up to 25 knots, FarSounder’s 3D Navigation Sonars are the only solution appropriate for mid-sized vessels that enables day and night monitoring of hazards ahead of the boat. The use of a FarSounder system can substantially reduce the probability of a collision with a submerged object.

How does 3D Navigation Sonar fit in with current systems on a vessel?

3D Navigation Sonar shows you hazards in the water ahead of your vessel under the water. It fills a critical gap left by the traditional navigation systems (Radar, Charts, Depth Sounder) on a vessel. Our systems are compliments to ECDIS, radar, and FLIR.

Do FarSounder’s systems work in Polar regions?

Yes. In fact, FarSounder’s 3D Navigation Sonar has been in use by commercial vessels and yachts in polar regions since 2006.

What chart data is supported by the software?

Support for standard S57/S63 format chart data is included in the base package. I4Insight Professional+ (formerly C-Map Professional+) chart data can added for an additional cost. Chart data must be supplied separately.

Does the vessel need to be in dry dock to install or remove the Transducer Module?

Generally, the fairing must be installed while the vessel is in dry dock. However, once the fairing is installed, the Transducer Module can be installed and removed underwater. The back of the Transducer Module has an underwater, wet-mateable connector. We recommend keeping the cable plugged and the fairing covered with a plate if the Transducer Module will be removed for an extended period of time.

What is an example of a 2D sonar?

Other systems that are called Forward Looking Sonars do actually look forward but they are only able to discern information in 2 dimensions. Generally, they can tell the user that there is an object at a particular bearing and range, but they cannot tell the user if the object is at the surface, in the water column, or on the sea bottom. They simply have one horizontal slice through the water. These systems are unable to tell the user if the object is 5 feet below the surface or 50 feet below the surface. Some 2D systems even go as far as to have a second array giving one vertical slice through the water. However, in this configuration, the vertical slice can only give the user information about the range and depth of an object, it cannot tell the user at what bearing the object is located ahead of the vessel. Even the most advanced 2D system cannot correlate between the vertical and horizontal slice.

What is an example of a 1D sonar?

A simple depth sounder or echosounder is a 1D sonar. These systems simply tell the user the depth directly below the sounder. They are not able to warn the user about the rock, submerged shipping container, sandbar, whale, boat, or other obstacle ahead of the vessel. In the very worst of cases, if the sounder is located in the stern of the vessel, the bow may actually be grounded on an obstacle while the sounder continues to tell the operator that there is still water below the keel.

Sonar technology has existed for a long time. How is FarSounder’s technology different than existing technologies and products?

Traditional sonar technology and products are able to generate 1D and 2D images. FarSounder's approach to sonar is fundamentally different than traditional sonars and is able to generate 3D images in realtime for a large field of view ahead of a vessel. We are able to offer the ship operator a complete picture and deliver the most basic and important piece of information for marine navigation: What is ahead of the vessel.

Do the FarSounder forward look sonars have any mechanical moving parts?

No. Our systems are entirely solid state and do not have any moving parts.

Can the Argos sonars tell the difference between a rock and a whale?

Currently, our navigation systems perform LOCALIZATION. That is to say, we can tell you WHERE something is. Telling you WHAT something is called CLASSIFICATION. Classification is a technology that we use for our security products.

In what sea conditions will the Argos sonars work?

The current products have been designed to operate even under moderate sea conditions. Of course, in larger wave environments, smaller surface targets will be lost in the surface clutter. LIKE ANY MARINE ELECTRONICS SENSOR, the systems will not function well under the most extreme conditions. Quantitative results depend upon many factors including: hull mounting method, sea state, vessel speed, water temperature, wind speed, etc. Generally, the deeper the Transducer Module is installed, the better the system operates in higher sea states.

How deep do the Argos sonars look below the water?

The current Argos sonar designs are limited to 50 meters (~160 feet) maximum depth. This is a design choice that was made because most vessels that have a draft of more than 50 meters are usually called ship wrecks (a little sonar engineer humor). The core technology is very flexible and can be customized to meet other needs if greater than 50 meters depth is required.

What does Water Depth performance mean? What is the difference between Water Depths and Detection Range?

Water depth performance is how far away (in multiples of the depth of water below the transducer), depth information can be measured. THIS IS THE KEY FOR SHALLOW WATER OPERATION.

Detection Range is how far away a target of a certain size can be DETECTED. But detection is different from localization.

FarSounder can accurately tell you the depth of a target consistently for at least 8 water depths, (in practice we have many data sets of 12-18 water depth performance for some bottom types and conditions). Beyond FarSounder's water depth performance capability, if a big target is detected, range and bearing to the target can be calculated and displayed. However, the depth of the target is not necessarily known.

Read this tech blog posting to learn more about the physics behind water depth performance.

Just as RADAR does not give altitude above the water but can still be a useful tool, detection at beyond water depth capabilities can also be a useful tool.

Can the sounds levels and frequencies hurt marine life?

No. We operate at similar sound levels and frequencies as dolphins. In fact, the National Marine Fisheries Service sponsored the development of our technology to non-invasively study whales. They have evaluated our legacy FS-3DT product* and stated: "NOAA's Ocean Acoustics Program (NMFS Office of Science and Technology), has assessed the technical specifications of the current version of the FarSounder sonar technology and concurs that, based on the sound source level, signal duration, directionality, and operational frequency band, there are no anticipated injurious effects on marine mammals or other marine species from its deployment."

* Note that our current products (the Argos 350, Argos 500, and Argos 1000 sonars) operate at similar frequencies, sound pressure levels, ping rates, and pulse durations as the evaluated FS-3DT.

What is the difference between CASS, FLS, and OAS sonar systems?

CASS (Collision Avoidance Sonar System), FLS (Forward Looking Sonar), and OAS (Obstacle Avoidance Sonar) are all names which can be used interchangeably when describing a sonar system which looks ahead and is used for navigation. Although there are many products on the market with these names, only FarSounder's products are capable of creating a complete 3D image ahead of the vessel at navigationally significant ranges with a single ping.

Do I need a GPS or other NMEA sensors?

FarSounder's user interface software processes and displays the 3D Forward Looking Sonar information generated by the sonar. In order to take advantage of our latest in-water target stabilization and chart overlay capabilities, GPS position, speed, course, heading, and rate of turn information must be connected to the bridge computer via NMEA.

NMEA information is passed into the software via the user interface computer's COM port. If your computer only has USB, a serial to USB converter can be used. If you wish to read multiple NMEA streams with one COM port, a NMEA multiplexer can be used. Some multiplexers even have a built in USB converter.

The software also includes a conning display for GPS position, Heading, Speed, Rate of Turn, Course and Echosounder information. AIS and ARPA targets can also be optionally input of display as a chart overlay in addition to the 3D sonar data.

Which types of government vessels would benefit from including FarSounder’s system?

FarSounder’s 3D Navigation Sonar would make an excellent navigation tool for Coast Guard vessels including the fast response cutters and work vessels such as the buoy tenders by helping advance the Coast Guard’s missions for maritime safety, the prevention of loss of human life, and pollution prevention activities.

Is FarSounder’s 3D Navigation Sonar a cost effective solution for commercial vessels?

Yes. The cost of the sonar is minimal in comparison to the cost of a collision or grounding, the costs of lost business due to downtime and negative publicity, and the costs of environmental damage and penalties.