This case study by Impact Subsea, a developer of underwater sensing technologies for the marine industry, covers the extensive deep-water field testing of its ISA200 Altimeter and Echosounder conducted at Loch Ness, Scotland. Read more >>
ISA200 Altimeter and Echosounder.
The test was undertaken as part of the pre-launch validation of this altimeter and echosounder to determine maximum measurable depth, signal strength, and data stability at speed.
Test Setup & Procedure
Loch Ness was selected due to its significant depth, exceeding 200 meters in some areas, and its challenging underwater terrain, providing an effective real-world environment to assess long-range performance in dynamic conditions.
During testing, the ISA200 was pole-mounted on a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) with the transducer oriented vertically downward. A GPS antenna was installed to record positional data, and altitude, echogram, and GPS data were logged simultaneously using Impact Subsea’s seaView software.
The test vessel traversed a known deep-water crossing while the ISA200 continuously measured depth beneath the vessel, with data visualized in real time and recorded for post-survey analysis.
Results & Performance
ISA200 Loch Ness Profile with Distance Reading.
These trials recorded a maximum depth of 215.036 meters (705.49 feet), and throughout the survey, the ISA200 maintained a strong and continuous return signal from both the sloped sides and flat bottom of the loch.
Impact Subsea’s ISA200 demonstrated high return signal energy and correlation, even at maximum depth, with consistent and clear echogram data. Accurate underwater altitude measurements were sustained at vessel speeds of up to 4 knots, underscoring the system’s stability.
Ben Grant, Managing Director, Impact Subsea, highlighted, “The ISA200 represents a significant leap forward in highly compact, deep rated 200kHz echosounding technology. Testing at Loch Ness not only confirmed the system’s longrange capability but also showcased its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality data at speed.”
The Loch Ness trials confirmed the ISA200’s performance in deep-water conditions and validated its suitability for use in Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and hydrographic survey applications where long-range measurement is required. The results indicate the ISA200’s operational range exceeds 215 metres, supporting further testing in deeper waters.
To find out more information, read ‘Deep Water Testing of the ISA200 at Loch Ness’ here >>
