Knudsen Series Echosounders

Products Overview

Knudsen 320 series echosounders are used for precision measurement of water depths for a variety of applications, ranging from hydrographic surveys to oceanographic research to precise ship navigation. Currently, KEL produces three lines of echosounders - the 320M series, the 320B series and the 320N. The M series echosounders are designed to be all-in-one units, including features such as user-friendly controls and on-board printer. The 320B Blackbox series, as fully functional as the M Series, are designed to interface with a computer and are controlled completely through our SounderSuite software interface. Our new 320N series are precise standalone navigation echosounders designed for naval defense applications.

Introducing the Sounder 1600 and Chirp 3200 Series Echosounders

The Sounder 1600 and Chirp 3200 Echosounders are KEL's first completely new designs since the introduction of the successful 320 Series. Based on the latest generation of 16-bit Digital Signal Processors from industry leader Texas Instruments, the Sounder 1600 and Chirp 3200 are the new benchmarks for performance and accuracy.

Digital signal processing is key to the performance of the new systems. The Sounder 1600 digitizes the entire incoming signal over an exceptionally wide bandwidth of 230 kHz, and extracts the frequency of interest entirely with digital signal processing software. The digital filters implemented in the Sounder 1600 provide stability and selectivity simply not achievable with analog components, and the TI DSP has the processing power to recover the signal from even the noisiest environments.

The basic Chirp 3200 system can accommodate one or two low frequency channels and a single high frequency channel. The low frequency channels feature 24-bit digitization with exceptional instantaneous dynamic range of 118 dB and overall dynamic range exceeding 160 dB. A 16-bit digitizer is provided for an optional high frequency channel.

The 320M Series Echosounders

The original signature line of Knudsen Echosounders are robust, powerful standalone systems. The 320M Marine Echosounder is available as a single or dual frequency model, has a flexible architecture that allows ready integration with other modern survey tools. The standard system includes such unique features as a SCSI port, a built-in 32-level grayscale printer, and field programmable software that allows system upgrades or reconfiguration to new frequencies. The 320MP is a splashproof version of the 320M in a rugged plastic case.

The 320B Blackbox Series Echosounders

The 320B Blackbox series of echosounders are compact versions of the 320M system. The 320B has the same functionality as the 320M, minus the printer and control panel. The 320B echosounder uses the SCSI link to a notebook or personal computer. All echosounder control functions are managed through a Windows interface and echo data is scrolled across the computer screen. The graphic record data can be stored to any Windows device, such as optical drives and hard drives. Survey tools such as GPS, heave sensors, and dataloggers are easily integrated. The standard 320B system, housed in an aluminum case, is designed for a bulkhead or wall mount.

The 320BP system is housed in a portable, rugged, splashproof, shock-protected ABS/polycarbonate case. Ideally suited to small, open boat applications, it is also excellent for general-purpose use. The 320BR is a rack-mounted high-power system for full ocean depth surveys. The 320BR is fast becoming the system of choice within the North American UNOLS fleet. Since the first installation with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 80% of this fleet have become 320BR customers, including the U.S. Coast Guard Ice Breaker Cutters Healey, Polar Sea, and Polar Star, as well as Woods Hole and Scripps deep water research vessels.

The 320N Series Echosounders

The 320N is a powerful, state-of-the-art navigation echosounder with a friendly touchscreen interface. It is built in a low maintenance modular construction, with a simple installation, easy configuration and hands-off operation. It is currently installed on numerous U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels.