Skip to content
Multibeam Precision. Zero Vessel Required.
The Cerulean Surveyor 240/16 MBES sensor head operates at 240 kHz with a 16-element receive array and 80° cross-track swath — resolving up to 15 acoustic targets per swath at ~1° angular resolution. Paired with the Bar30 depth/pressure sensor for independent depth referencing and the SkyHub computer for real-time georeferenced acquisition via UgCS, the EchoNIMBUS-MBES captures centimeter-grade bathymetric data across a 0.5–50m measurement range with 0.5% range resolution — all from a drone platform weighing just ~2.4 kg total.
Learn More +
The EchoNIMBUS-MBES by SPH Engineering is a drone-integrated multibeam echosounder system engineered for centimeter-grade bathymetric surveys in shallow, hazardous, or inaccessible waters — without a manned vessel. Combining the Cerulean Surveyor 240/16 MBES sensor head, Bar30 depth/pressure reference, SkyHub onboard computer, and a foldable deployment arm, this system delivers dense 3D point clouds with unmatched operational efficiency.
System Components
- Cerulean Surveyor 240/16 MBES — 240 kHz, 16-element receive array, 80° cross-track swath, ~1° angular resolution, 10–15 acoustic targets per swath
- Bar30 Depth/Pressure Sensor — Independent depth reference for measurement accuracy and consistency
- Foldable Arm with Fairing — Compact stow for transport; deploys for water-surface stability and sensor protection
- SkyHub Onboard Computer — Real-time depth monitoring, georeferenced acquisition, and automated logging via UgCS
- Data Cables & Connectors — Ethernet (SkyHub) plus power/data interconnects
- Hard Transport Case — Mission-ready protection for all components
Performance Specifications
- Measurement Range: 0.5 m – 50 m
- Range Resolution: 0.5% of range setting
- Integrated Sensors: Tilt/roll, temperature
- System Weight: ~2.4 kg (all components, in air)
- Compatible UAVs: DJI M400/M350 RTK, M300 RTK, Pixhawk/Cube-based platforms of comparable payload class
Capabilities
- Dense 3D point cloud generation for bottom modeling — banks, slopes, sediments, submerged obstacles
- Reduced flight lines required for full-area coverage
- True Terrain Following and UgCS Expert integration for automated mission planning and real-time control
- Data export in CSV, GeoTIFF, LAZ, and standard GIS formats via BeamworX and DroneGIS
Applications
- Bathymetric surveys of lakes, rivers, reservoirs, retention basins, and flooded areas
- Mining waste parks and industrial basin monitoring
- Sediment volume and erosion assessment
- Environmental and hydro-engineering projects
- Infrastructure monitoring and flood mapping
Operational Notes
- Optimized for calm to gently flowing water; zig-zag flight patterns recommended in faster currents
- Requires compatible UAV platform and UgCS software/licenses for full system integration