The S500 sonar is a multipurpose single-beam echosounder. It can be used as an altimeter for ROVs and AUVs, for bathymetry work aboard a USV, as an obstacle avoidance sonar, and other underwater distance measurement applications.

​

The S500 implements CHIRP modulation, which sends a varying frequency ultrasonic pulse. The advantages of CHIRP include better signal to noise ratio, and much higher range resolution than non-CHIRP devices.

​

The S500 can report a simple distance measurement, or It can also provide the full signal profile for display as a “waterfall” plot like the display of a fishfinder. S500 is supported by SonarView, Cerulean Sonar’s sonar viewing application available for free download. Raw signal strength data profiles can also be provided for advanced analysis in technical applications.

​

The S500 uses a high frequency 500kHz transducer giving about 5° beam width for ROV and AUV altimeter and bathymetry applications. It has a measurement range of over 100m. A bottom-tracking algorithm runs on the device to determine the distance to the seafloor.

​

Three communication interfaces include Ethernet (100Mb/sec), USB (12Mb/sec), and 3.3-5.0V serial (115kbaud).

​

​

​