Features and benefits

Hydra systems are the smallest sonar systems on the market. With ultra-small dimensions and weight, they are easy to carry and install, providing high mobility. Installation of the complex is possible on any type of vessel, including small vessels (inflatable boats) and even on an Autonomous robotic self-propelled boat. The range of working depths of the complex is from 1 to 500 m (depending on the operating frequency), which allows its use in almost any water bodies (internal and external water areas).
Configuration for the customer. The user can build the necessary configuration using the elements of the complex as a constructor.
Mobile and stationary installation options. Due to the small size and weight, as well as the short deployment time, the system can be used in mobile (usually used when working with rubber boats and small boats) and in a stationary version.
Accommodation on any vessels. The complex can be placed on vessels of any displacement-starting from small rubber boats and ending with vessels of large displacement.
Small size and weight. The Hydra complex is the only complex in its class that has the smallest weight and dimensions among similar complexes. All elements of the complex (with the exception of the antenna block mounting rod) are placed in a small case.
Built-in sensors. When the system is delivered, it is possible to optionally install various built-in sensors (navigation, angular position, etc.).
Connecting external sensors. It is possible to connect to a set of necessary external sensors. Various navigation receivers, a water speed sensor, a water speed profile sensor, and angle sensors can be used as external sensors.
Possibility of simultaneous operation of several complexes. The work of several complexes can be synchronized with each other (for example, the work of SSS and PPF), which allows you to simultaneously perform several tasks at once and eliminate the mutual influence of complexes on each other.

General principles of operation

The operation of the complex is based on the principles of active sonar in the frequency range from units of kilohertz to one megahertz (depending on the tasks to be solved). Sonar inspection is carried out using the complex's receiving and transmitting equipment, which is placed on Board a ship (boat) or as part of a towed body, tnpa. With onboard placement, the range of the studied depths ranges from units to 500 meters, which allows you to work on any rivers, lakes and shelf of the seas and oceans. When placed as part of a towed body or tnpa, the complex allows for deep-sea research. To solve the problems of search and area survey, the complex uses the side-view method, which is the most effective when working on large areas and allows you to reduce the time and material costs. Acquisition of sonar data, primary processing of information and its archiving for further use is carried out during the survey. Shooting is preceded by preparatory work and activities that ensure its high-quality performance. After the survey is completed, secondary (cameral) processing of the data obtained during the survey can be performed and various reports can be created.

NOTE. The complex containing a sounder is a measurement tool that allows you to perform a sounder measurement and build a bathymetric map. The complex containing ISSS is also a measurement tool that allows performing an area bathymetric survey of the bottom.

Preparing for shooting

At the stage of preparation for the shooting, the following preparatory activities are carried out:

    - defining the tasks and area (zone) of the survey
    - creating a survey plan and relevant data (laying a grid of tacks, selecting areas of interest, schedule of work shifts, etc.)
    - selection of operating modes of the complex
    - preparation of the vessel, installation of the complex on Board the vessel
    - checking the health of the complex
    - adjustment
    - instructing staff, etc.

Depending on the tasks to be solved, the composition and content of events may change and be supplemented.
For effective use of the complex, the User must have a pre-prepared plan of the campaign, with precisely set tasks and a project for the trajectory of future tacks. Each User determines the technology for preparing a campaign plan. Special navigation or other programs provide high efficiency in this issue. These programs can be included in the extension package when delivered.

 

Shooting

As the vessel moves, the water space is probed, echo signals are received and recorded on a storage device (archiving). At the same time, the operator can observe the acoustic information received on the monitor screen in real time and use it to control the process of collecting information and its quality. Simultaneously with space sensing, data on the position and coordination of the vessel and the hydrography of the reservoir are measured and archived. The availability of this information together with a specially prepared campaign plan allows the User to quickly assess the sufficiency of the amount of information received, and if necessary, conduct repeated or additional tacks. This can save time and money compared to having to go back to some shooting areas.

Examples of Hydra complex using

	Monitoring the state of HPP-2003.
	Survey of the sea floor for floating structures of the Northern PES in the Long Bay-Eastern Barents sea-2008
	Study of the upstream hydroelectric power station (Seoul, South Korea) - 2008
	Search bodies of Armenia transport (the Black sea) - 2008
	Monitoring of the state of the underwater channel-2008

Nomenclature of manufactured complexes

Complexes, depending on the model, perform different functions, have different characteristics, and design features.
Placement of the complex - mobile portable or stationary, on-Board placement.

Product catalog

Extension kit

Main technical characteristics

The main technical characteristics of Hydra units
Parameter	Value	Note
Function	SSS SSSE ISSS PPF
Accommodation option on the ship	Mobile or stationary	On-Board
Vessels	Any types of vessels, ROV, AUV
Complex configuration	Basic kit, basic kit + extension kit, mobile kit	Flexible change for User tasks is possible
Design	Separate design (antennas and electronic part in different cases) or monoblock (antennas and electronic part in a single case)	В зависимости от модели
Basic average operating frequencies Fc, kHz	15 100 300 700
Working band, %	10..50
Range of investigated depths, m, not less than	5-500 (for Fc = 100 kHz) 1-20 (for Fc = 700 kHz) 1-70 (for Fc = 300 кHz 300 kHz) 1-200 (for PPF with Fc 150 kHz)
Depth of penetration into the ground, m, not less than	50 (for PPF)
Range resolution, cm, not worse	1 (for Fc = 700 kHz) 3 (for Fc = 300 kHz) 7.5 (for Fc = 100 kHz) 20 (for Fc = PPF)
The slant range, m, not less	120 (for Fc = 700 kHz) 210 (for Fc = 300 kHz) 1500 (for Fc = 100 kHz)
Type of probing signals used	tone, LFM, signals with special modulation (direct synthesis)
Power	=10..27V ~110/220V
Power consumption, W, max	5/300 (silence / radiation) 10/4000 (silence / radiation for PPF)
Type of power supply	1. battery, flight network =10..27V 2. bortset ~110..220V (via power adapter) 3. electric generator ~220V/40..60Hz (for PPF)
Control line and data transfer to the computer	Ethernet 10/100 TX or USB
Options	1. Built-in navigation receiver with different accuracy of 3M or 0.1 m 2. Built-in sensors of angular position 3. Built-in sensor of the speed of sound in water 4. Internal battery
Management	IBM PC compatible computer with the Windows operating system
Software	1) Software of basic set (includes in basic set) 2) Software extension kit
Software of the basic set	Software HyScan base
Type of external sensors to connect	Navigation, heading, roll, pitch, speed of sound in water, the velocity profile of sound in water
The format of the data sensors	NMEA, binary, user-defined
Synchronization of complexes	from an external source or between each other, built-in hardware synchronization timer with an accuracy of 1ms

Use technology

The Hydra series complexes use a number of professional technologies that are used in modern sonar and digital technology, and help to obtain an acoustic image with photographic clarity.

Composition and configuration of the complex

The Hydra™ complex consists of two main parts:
    - Basic set (BC)
    - Extension kit
This partitioning allows you to perform an individual configuration of the complex for a specific User.
IMPORTANT. Using only BC does not ensure the functioning of the complex. The following minimum set of elements from the extension kit is additionally required to work with the BC:
    - a computer
    - power supply
    - elements of mounting and placement of the complex on the ship

When ordering a complex, the initial data are:

    - list of tasks to be solved (search, monitoring, bathymetric survey, etc.)
    - required accuracy of obtaining results
    - vessels used
    - method of installation of the complex (stationary, mobile)
    - method of mounting antennas
    - method of power supply of the complex (batteries, flight grid, electric generator, etc.)
    - forms for obtaining work results (types of reports, methods of secondary processing, etc.)
    - Based on the initial data, our specialists will help you choose the necessary configuration of the complex.

You can order:

A full-featured complex consisting of a basic set of the complex and an extension set. You get all the necessary set to perform the work.
    - Basic kit and individual elements from the extension kit. In this case, you can purchase all the other necessary elements from the extension kit yourself.
    - Only the basic set. In this case, you can purchase all the other necessary elements from the extension kit yourself.
The extension kit mainly uses standard products that have analogues on the market, are interchangeable and can be purchased from third-party suppliers. You can contact us for advice on the use and integration of third-party products in the complex.
IMPORTANT. Some elements of the extension kit are unique (specially designed for the complex) and have no analogues. Pay attention to this when selecting elements of the extension kit.
Elements of the expansion kit can be used for spare parts and equipment repairs during operation.
As you get the skills to work with the complex and experience in its operation, you can upgrade the complex to expand the range of tasks to be solved, and improve the accuracy characteristics.

Power supply:

Power supply is required for the equipment of the complex and other components included in it (computer, sensors, etc.). Depending on the nature of the work performed and the type of vessel, different types of power sources can be used:
    - Different types of batteries
    - Low-voltage side grid =12/24V
    - Shipboard AC power grid or electric generator ~110/220V
The most common type of power sources used for mobile placement of the complex are batteries. When stationary placement is used, as a rule, the flight network. The choice of the necessary power source is made depending on the design of the complex, working depths, duration of continuous operation, ease of use, and cost. When using the ~110/220V on-Board network or an electric generator, you must use an additional PWR002 power supply from the expansion kit of the complex (or similar).

Some versions of the complex (PPF) can only work from a certain type of power source (~220V).

History of the Hydra complex

The development, production and implementation of the Hydra complex was started in 2000. Since then, several generations of the complex have been released, its characteristics are constantly being improved, and its application areas are expanding.

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