Ping Sonar Altimeter and Echosounder

Overview

Introduction

The Ping Sonar Altimeter and Echosounder is a sensor that is measuring the distance to the seabed or an object in front of it. The sensor can be mounted in any direction, but it is most common to mount it forwards or downwards. The transducer (underwater speaker) has a beam angle of 30 degrees and a maximum range of 50 m. The minimum range it can measure reliably is 0.5 meters. If you go closer than this, you'll get faulty readings until you increase the distance again. If the sensor is mounted facing downwards, you'll get the new feature auto-altitude. This allows you to keep a constant distance from the seabed while diving in uneven terrain.

How to install

The Ping Echosounder is communicating via RS232 which is available on all Guest Ports (GP1, GP2, GP3).

Downwards configuration:

1. Make sure the ROV is powered off. 
2. Connect the smart connector to any of the three guest ports.
3. Guide the cable towards the front and fix the cable with zip-ties.
4. Attach the Pinger to the buoyancy part with the two longer M5 screws.
5. Replace the front plastic part and the buoyancy, with the ones in the kit, by unscrewing the four torque screws.
6. Attach the Pinger and black buoyancy by inserting the large screws in the front.
7. Close the ROV, and make sure no cables get squeezed.
8. Power on the ROV.

Forwards configuration:

1. Do steps 1 and 2 above.
2. Guide the cable towards the hole at the top.
3. Attach the go-pro mounting adapter to the Pinger with the (M3) screws in the kit.
4. Attach the Pinger onto the GoPro mount on top of the ROV.
5. Close the ROV, and make sure no cables are squeezed.
6. Power on the ROV.

How to use

Once the Pinger is installed you just open the app and open Settings in the lower right tab. Then head to Drone settings and Configuration. Under "BR 1D Pinger" you can choose if the Pinger is mounted facing downwards or forwards.

Facing forwards

If you have mounted the Pinger facing forwards, you will get see a new text box appearing at the bottom of the screen when you enter the diving view. The reading will only be visible once there is a valid reading from the sensor. You can try to place your hand underneath it just to get some data.

Facing downwards

If the sensor is mounted facing downwards you will see the distance to the seabed displayed right below the depth indicator. This is also only visible when the reading is valid. Once you see a value in the altitude indicator you can activate auto-altitude by clicking the auto-depth button (A) 2 times. The (A) button will cycle through the modes, auto-depth, auto-altitude, and manual.

If you dive closer than 0.5 meters, the ROV will automatically change from auto-altitude to auto-depth. This is due to the unreliable values we get when we are closer than the minimum distance of 0.5 m. 

Specifications