GROUP 1

Course Guide

In this topic, we will determine the operations

of an echo sounder, explain the procedures of
using an echo sounder, detailed identification
of the parts of an echo sounder, distinguish the
main purpose of an echo sounder to all vessels.
 What is an Echo Sounder

and how does it operates?

The most common system for measuring water depth, and
preventing collisions with unseen underwater rocks, reefs,
etc., is the echosounder. These sonar systems use a
transducer that is usually mounted on the bottom of a ship.
Sound pulses are sent from the transducer straight down
into the water. The sound reflects off the seafloor and
returns to the transducer. The time the sound takes to
travel to the bottom and back is used to calculate the
distance to the seafloor.
The echo sounder system comprises four components, namely a
transmitter, a receiver, a transducer and a display unit.
 What is an Echo Sounder

and how does it operates?

The product is divided by two because the measured time
is the round-trip time (from the transducer to the seafloor
and back to the transducer). The faster the sound pulses
return to the transducer from the ocean floor, the
shallower the water depth is and the higher the elevation
of the sea floor. The sound pulses are sent out regularly as
the ship moves along the surface, which produces a line
showing the depth of the ocean beneath the ship. This
continuous depth data is used to create bathymetry maps
of the survey area.
How to use the Echo

Sounder?

LET'S WATCH THE

VIDEO
The parts of an Echo Sounder
TRANSMITTER
The transmitter generates an electrical pulse at
particular frequency.

Pulse gets produced in pulse former part of

transmitter and this part also determine the length
of pulse.

After generation of pulse it get amplified by power

amplifier of transmitter before it reach to
transducer.
The parts of an Echo Sounder
TRANSDUCER
Transducer receives electrical energy from transmitter
and then transform into sound energy.

It receive echo –sound and convert it into electrical

energy.

An additional function of transducer is to concentrate

the sound energy which is emitted as a beam.

beam width determines directivity of sound wave. The

shape and size of transducer affect beam width.
The parts of an Echo Sounder
RECEIVER/ AMPLIFIER
Receiver receives electrical energy from transducer and
then amplifies it.

After amplification of electrical energy the amplified

electrical energy get transmitted to the recorder or
display unit.
The parts of an Echo Sounder
RECORDER / DISPLAY UNIT
This unit record and display the observed information.

It is of two types:
1. Paper recorder / Paper display unit
2. Video recorder / Video display unit
The parts of an Echo Sounder
PAPER DISPLAY UNIT
This recorder provides hard copy of collected
information.

It measures the time gap between

transmission of sound pulses and reception of
the echoes.

In this recorder a stylus moves over a paper at

a certain uniform speed.

The paper has mark of certain depth range

such as 0 – 50 m, 0 – 100 m, 0 – 250 m etc.

The change in depth range takes place due to

change in stylus speed.
The parts of an Echo Sounder
VIDEO DISPLAY UNIT
This recorder is best for detailed study and
identification of echoes and is well suited for the
recognition of fish echoes close to the bottom.

This unit does not have any mechanical movement

because there is no routine paper and stylus
required.

Video display recorder cannot make hard copy but

it can store huge amount of data for future
purpose.
The main purpose of an Echo Sounder

The echo sounder transmits the sound pulses downward into the
water by a transducer. The echo reflected from the bed is also
received by the echo sounder. The time interval between the
emission of the sound pulse and its return as an echo is used to
estimate the depth of the water. It calculates water depth by
measuring the time it takes for the acoustic signal to reach the
bottom and the echo to return to the ship.
 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

WE ARE NOW READY FOR QUESTIONS