This section provides an overview for echo sounders as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 echo sounder manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked echo sounder companies as of November, 2024: 1.Syqwest Inc., 2.BioSonics, Inc., 3.NASA Marine Ltd.
Table of Contents
An echo sounder is a device that uses ultrasonic waves to measure depth. Many are attached to ships and used to measure the depth to the bottom of seas and rivers. Depth is measured from the time it takes for ultrasonic waves to be transmitted, reflected at the seabed, and returned.
In seawater, sound travels at about 1500m/s, so if it takes 2 seconds from transmission to reception, we know that the depth to the seabed is 1500m.
In recent years, multi-beam depth sounders using multiple ultrasonic beams have become mainstream, enabling depth sounding over a wide area at once.
Echo sounders are mainly used to measure the depth of the seafloor. Knowing the depth of the seafloor enables accurate charting, which is very important for ship operations and bay construction. Knowing information about the seafloor can lead to the utilization of these marine resources.
Echo sounders measure depth by utilizing the bounce of ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from a transmitter attached to a vessel toward the seafloor, and the reflected sound waves are received.
The specific method for calculating depth is "speed of sound x time between transmission and reception divided by 2. The speed of sound traveling through seawater is said to be about 1500 m/s, but it varies depending on seawater temperature and salinity. Accurate setting of the sound speed under the conditions to be examined is essential for accurate depth measurement.
In recent years, multibeam echo sounders, which use multiple ultrasonic beams, have become mainstream. Multibeam echo sounders use a fan-shaped acoustic beam called a cross-fan beam. Although fine corrections are required for vertically and obliquely transmitted sound waves, this technology enables a wide range of depth measurements and provides accurate information on the topography of the seafloor as an area.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Japan Radio Co., Ltd., established in 1917 and located in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of telecommunications technology and communications society. The company offers a wide range of products and solutions, including communication equipment, navigation equipment, radar systems, and more. It also provides marine electronics, measuring equipment for telecommunication, radio broadcasting equipment, and amateur radio equipment. Its product allows individual radar and communication systems to share spectrum bands, which improves spectrum utilization. The company has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and CMMC certification. It specializes in the field of wireless electronics for the communications industry.
Mesan Elektrik Mümessillik Ve Sanayi A.S. (Mesan Elektrik), founded in 1974, is an Istanbul, Turkey-based manufacturer of audible and visual signaling equipment. The company is certified by Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) and offers audible signal devices, signal towers, and motor sirens. It also produces a range of warning lights, including optical, solar, and red, green, and blue (RGB) options. Other products include audible and optical beacons, safety and traffic lights, and industrial warning devices.
KONGSBERG, founded in 1814 and headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, is a developer and manufacturer of advanced technology and solutions for the global maritime technology market. The company offers advanced maritime technologies, including navigation, automation, and communication systems, as well as propulsion for ships and offshore vessels. It also provides solutions for defense and aerospace applications, like anti-submarine warfare, missile systems, and space technology, along with software and digital solutions for various industries and technologies for marine resource exploration. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 international quality certifications.
Southsurveying & Mapping Technology, established in 1989 and situated in Guangzhou, China, is a manufacturer and distributor of GIS products. The company's product line encompasses data controllers, GIS handhelds, echo sounders, RTK systems, and acoustic Doppler current profilers. The products made by the company are used in different applications, including UAV aerial photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning, indoor mobile mapping, railway engineering, and field-to-office data engineering services. The company has over 3000 employees, 30 provincial branch offices, and 9 headquarters, exporting to over 100 countries worldwide.
Novatest Srl., established in 2010 and based in Ancona, Italy, is a manufacturer and supplier of NDT instruments. The company also distributes tools for precise surveys, monitoring, and non-destructive testing. It adheres to the ISO 9001:2015 standards for the quality management system. In accordance with UNI/PdR 56:2019 and ISO 9712 standards, the company provides training sessions for the certification of individuals participating in non-destructive tests. It offers specific sensors for static and dynamic infrastructure monitoring and geotechnical monitoring. The company provides superior technical tools and devices to ensure geophysical research is as accurate as possible.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Syqwest Inc. |
18.7%
|
2 | BioSonics, Inc. |
12.0%
|
3 | NASA Marine Ltd |
10.9%
|
4 | KONGSBERG |
8.1%
|
5 | Japan Radio Co. |
7.2%
|
6 | Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology Ltd. |
6.1%
|
7 | KNUDSEN |
5.0%
|
8 | Novatest Srl |
4.7%
|
9 | Ohmex Ltd |
4.7%
|
10 | Skipper Electronics |
4.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the echo sounder page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 2 | 22.2% |
Japan | 2 | 22.2% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 22.2% |
China | 1 | 11.1% |
Norway | 1 | 11.1% |
Canada | 1 | 11.1% |