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Discovery

MS70

Multibeam scientific sonar

The MS70 is a high resolution Multibeam scientific sonar with very low sidelobe levels. It is designed for collection of data from the water column. The MS70 offers a new dimension to fishery research. As a school of fish changes shape and density constantly, the MS70 is the best possible tool to understand these dynamics with remote sensing. The MS70 was the world's first quantitative multibeam sonar for fishery research applications.

The Simrad MS70 offers a new dimension to fishery research. It provides an acoustic matrix of stabilized and calibrated beams for biomass estimation, fish school characterization. and behaviour studies.

The transducer is normally mounted on a drop keel, which allows it to look horizontally. The Simrad MS70 permits characterization and volume estimation of a school of fish using only one single transmission. Schools of fish can be tracked, followed, and studied using multiple consequitive transmissions.

As a consequence of the horizontal transmission using narrow beams, the MS70 allows you to detect and characterize schools of fish even very close to the sea surface.

A new dimension

The MS70 provides an acoustic matrix of 500 beams (25 horizontal and 20 vertical). This enables the MS70 to provide instantaneous 3D volume data. Where other systems need multiple pings to provide 3D volume data, the MS70 can provide this using a single ping. This allows the MS70 to provide more accurate data. For example, a school of fish can change its structure several times during the time other systems need to cover the school.

Multiple consecutive pings enable the MS70 to provide true 4D data, where time is the fourth dimension. This allows for improved characterization of school structures that are changing over time.

Low sidelobe and interleakage levels

Low sidelobes are important for two reasons. The obvious one is to avoid that strong targets in side lobes are mistaken for weak targets in the main lobe. Secondly, you do not wish to see strong bottom echoes from the sidelobes. Very low vertical two-way sidelobe levels are obtained by using two-way side lobe suppressions. Very low beam interleakage is obtained by using Frequency Rotated Sector Transmission (FRST) where the frequency band is distributed over all the sectors.

Advanced Sonar Capabilities

The MS70 Multibeam scientific sonar is designed for high operating flexibility. It provides an acoustic matrix of stabilized and calibrated beams for biomass estimation, fish school characterization and behaviour studies. Within the bandwidth of the transducer, the limits for beam steering, and the minimum achievable beam opening, you can select the directions, frequencies, and opening angles for the beams. You can set up the system to fit your requirements, and it will provide you with a real-time display for quality control of the current data acquisition.

School of Fish Detection and Analysis

The MS70 allows characterization and volume estimation of a school of fish using only one single transmission. Schools of fish can be tracked, followed, and studied using multiple consecutive transmissions. As a consequence of the horizontal transmission using narrow beams, the MS70 allows you to detect and characterize schools of fish even very close to the sea surface.

Key Features of the MS70

It offers unique features for modern research vessels and environmental monitoring installations that require high quality scientific data. The frequency range of 70 to 120 kHz, a horizontal operating sector of 60°, and a vertical operating sector of 45°, along with low self-noise and remote control capabilities, positions the MS70 as a leader in its class. Its clear and easily comprehensive echo data, intuitive user interface, and definition and saving of user settings accentuate its ease of operation.

Key features

  • The frequency range is 70 to 120 kHz
  • Provides an acoustic matrix containing 500 beams (25 horizontal and 20 vertical). Each beam is 3° to 4° wide depending on its position in the matrix
  • 60° horizontal operating sector
  • 45° vertical operating sector
  • -25 dB horizontal side lobe levels
  • -35 dB vertical side lobe levels and beam interleakage
  • Transceiver operation control
  • Sensor input control
  • Information display
  • Raw data recording with network interface
  • Replay of previously recorded data
  • Low self-noise
  • Remote control
  • Data subscription functionality
  • Define and save your own user settings
  • Easy operation with an intuitive user interface
  • Clear and easily comprehensive echo data
  • 25 transceiver boards provide 800 individual channels

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