Overview
- Introduction
- How to install the Ping360 sonar on the Blueye X3
- How to connect the PC software to the PING 360 sonar
- How to use the Ping360 Sonar
- Specifications
Introduction
For general information about how the use of sonars can help improve ROV navigation and operation in low to zero visibility water we highly recommend reading our in-depth article.
The Ping360 is a mechanical scanning sonar for navigation and imaging. It has a 50 meter (165 foot) range, 300 meter (984 foot) depth rating, and an open-source software interface that makes it a capable tool for ROV navigation and underwater acoustic imaging.
When the Ping360 sonar is installed on the Blueye X3, you need a PC or Mac connected to the Blueye network with the Ping Viewer software from Blue Robotics installed to operate the sonar.
How to install the Ping360 sonar on the Blueye X3
To install the Ping360 Sonar on the Blueye X3, you need the customized plastic side and back covers, bouancy and mounting kit from Blueye Robotics. If the Ping360 sonar was ordered together with the Blueye X3, this step will have been performed by Blueye prior to shipment and as standard, only the custom parts will be delivered with the drone.
Attaching other equipment on the top of the X3 may reduce the quality of sonar data from the Ping360, as it can interfere with the hydro acoustics waves from and to the sonar.
The Ping360 Scanning Sonar is compatible with all Guest Ports (GP1, GP2, GP3).
We are working on further tutorials on how to install Ping360 Sonar on the Blueye X3, should you have need for this now, please contact support@blueyerobotics.com for more information.
How to connect the PC software to the PING 360 sonar
To operate the Ping360 sonar, you need a PC or MAC connected to the Blueye network with the Ping Viewer software from Blue Robotics installed.
The Ping360 sonar use the ethernet connection on the Blueye network to communicate with the Ping Viewer software. The Blueye Surface Unit has DHCP enabled by default, so the PC and the Ping360 will automatically be allocated an IP address on the network.
When launched, the Ping Viewer software on the PC will automaticly scan for connected sonars on avaliable communication ports, and the Ping360 will be displayed as an avaliable device in the Ping Viewer software. For more details see the Quick start guide for the Ping360 on the Blue Robotics web pages.
For using a wired connection between the Blueye Surface unit and the PC, please check out our support article for wired connection.
How to use the Ping360 Sonar
Start up the Blueye X3 as normal, and connect the PC or Mac with the Ping Viewer software to the Blueye Network. Launch the Ping Viewer software, and for wait for it to find the Ping360 sonar on the network. Select the Ping360 sonar in the avaliable devices. The Ping360 sonar application will now automaticly start to scan.
The following video show a demonstration of the Ping360 sonar attached to a Blueye X3 drone.
For further instructions on using the Seaview software, please see the Quick start guide.
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