EchoNIMBUS-MBES multibeam echosounder payload
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EchoNIMBUS-MBES is SPH Engineering's drone multibeam echo sounder payload, built around the Cerulean Surveyor 240-16, for surveyors mapping lakes, rivers, reservoirs and tailings ponds. HobiTech supplies it in India.
Technical
| Sensor | Cerulean Surveyor 240-16 |
| Type | Multibeam echosounder (MBES) |
| Acoustic frequency | 240 kHz |
| Measurement range | 0.5 – 50m |
| Beam width (angle of arrival) | 1° |
| Along-track TX beam width | 4° |
| Cross-track TX beam width | 80° |
| RX array elements | 16 |
| Cross-track beam width (conventional) | 7° |
| Range resolution | 0.5% of range setting |
| Integrated tilt/roll sensor | Yes |
| Integrated temperature sensor | Yes |
Supported drones
| Platforms | DJI M400/M350 RTK/M300 RTK or comparable Pixhawk/Cube-based drones |
Mechanical
| Weight (echo sounder, in air) | 1.8kg incl. foldable mounting |
| Weight (all components, in air) | 2.4kg (sensor, SkyHub, altimeter, housing, cables, mountings) |
| Transport case (L × W × H) | 121 × 46 × 17 cm, 11.5 kg |
What's in the kit
- Cerulean Surveyor 240-16 MBES sensor head
- Cerulean Bar30 depth/pressure sensor
- Foldable mount with housing/fairing for MBES
- Data cable with connector for SkyHub onboard computer
- Transport case
Documentation & data sets
What is EchoNIMBUS-MBES used for?
EchoNIMBUS-MBES measures water depth from a drone flying over the water. A single-beam echo sounder records one depth point below the aircraft. A multibeam sensor records a swath of depths across the flight line: the Surveyor 240-16 transmits a beam 80° wide across track and 4° along track, and receives on 16 array elements. The result is a denser depth model of the bottom from each pass.
Typical jobs are water depth mapping, dredging planning and monitoring, tailings storage facility (TSF) monitoring, wastewater and stormwater surveys, and hydrology. The sensor works at 240 kHz over a range of 0.5 to 50 m. Because the drone does the flying, surveyors can measure ponds, quarries and hazardous zones where launching a boat is difficult. See the sample data sets above for lake, river and sand-quarry surveys from SPH Engineering.
How does it work with SkyHub, UgCS and your drone?
- SkyHub: the payload connects to the SkyHub on-board computer over Ethernet. SkyHub logs the echo sounder data on the drone.
- Orientation and position: the sensor's built-in IMU records pitch and roll. The drone supplies heading and coordinates, which are used to geotag each measurement.
- Altimeter: SPH Engineering uses an altimeter so the drone flies automatically at a set height over the water and handles tides and waves.
- UgCS: missions are planned and flown in SPH's UgCS flight-planning software.
- Drones: DJI M400, M350 RTK and M300 RTK, or Pixhawk/Cube-based drones of comparable size. HobiTech lists heavy-payload mounts for the DJI M350/M300 RTK and the DJI M400; we confirm the right mount for your aircraft with the quote.
To plan line spacing and flight height, SPH Engineering publishes an MBES resolution calculator. More on the technology is on SPH's echo sounder page.
What else do you need to run it?
SPH Engineering states that additional components and software must be purchased to use this sensor with drones. A typical set-up includes:
- The SkyHub on-board computer and an altimeter.
- UgCS mission-planning software.
- A drone mount for your aircraft.
- BeamworX Suite, the processing software recommended for EchoNIMBUS-MBES data, with AutoClean, AutoPatch and NavAQ modules for calibration and point-cloud cleaning.
Browse all sensors in our bathymetry collection and processing tools in bathymetry software. HobiTech confirms the full component list for your drone when you request a quote.
Why buy EchoNIMBUS-MBES from HobiTech?
HobiTech is an authorised SPH Engineering partner based in Bengaluru, India. Every order comes with a GST invoice, and you have a local team for the sensor, the drone and the software. We also offer SPH's bathymetry training courses, including MBES data collection (MBES-1), MBES data processing in BeamworX (MBES-2) and an MBES Bathymetry certification exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sensor is inside EchoNIMBUS-MBES?
A Cerulean Surveyor 240-16 multibeam sensor head working at 240 kHz, supplied with a Cerulean Bar30 depth/pressure sensor, a foldable mount with housing, a SkyHub data cable and a transport case.
How deep can EchoNIMBUS-MBES measure?
The measurement range is 0.5 to 50 m, with a range resolution of 0.5% of the range setting.
Which drones can carry EchoNIMBUS-MBES?
DJI M400, M350 RTK and M300 RTK, or Pixhawk/Cube-based drones of comparable size. The echo sounder weighs 1.8 kg with its foldable mount, and all components together weigh 2.4 kg.
Is SkyHub included with EchoNIMBUS-MBES?
No. The kit includes the data cable for SkyHub, but the SkyHub on-board computer, altimeter, UgCS and processing software are bought separately.
What software processes EchoNIMBUS-MBES data?
SPH Engineering names BeamworX for multibeam data. HobiTech supplies the BeamworX Suite as a 1-year licence.
How do I buy EchoNIMBUS-MBES in India?
Use Request a quote on this page, or call HobiTech on +91 70225 26509. We confirm the price and configuration, and every order comes with a GST invoice.