Note: The multibeam system described on this page was implemented using elements of a high-performance signal processing and acquisition platform developed for advanced sonar applications.
The underlying platform and associated intellectual property have since been transferred to Torr Robotics Ltd. The material below is retained for reference.
Picotech Introduces the PicoMB-Ultra7 — High-Resolution Hydrography in Just 12 Watts
Picotech Ltd introduces the PicoMB-Ultra7, the first in our new-generation large-aperture multibeam echosounder product line delivering IHO Exclusive Order performance in a compact, 12 W package. Designed for AUVs, USVs, and small survey vessels, it combines ultra-low power consumption with exceptional data fidelity for port, harbour, and inland water surveys. The subsea variant extends capability to autonomous UXO and MCM operations, providing high-resolution bathymetry in demanding offshore environments.
The PicoMB-Ultra7 provides real-time bathymetry (7027), snippets (7028), and compressed water-column data (7042) in the standard Reson® 7k format, ensuring seamless integration with BeamworX®, EIVA NaviSuite®, Xylem HYPACK®, Teledyne PDS® and QPS QINSy®
When power consumption is as low as our Ultra7 series — just 12 W — the energy loss from parasitic drag can outweigh electrical power consumption. That’s why we engineered the PicoMB-Ultra7’s transducers to be the slimmest in the industry, minimising hydrodynamic drag and maximising endurance. The result: longer survey times, greater efficiency, and class-leading data fidelity.
Key Features
- 0.5° beamwidth @ robust 337 kHz, 512 beams, 140° swath
- 7k data output: Bathymetry (7027), Snippets (7028), Compressed Water Column (7042)
- 12 W ultra-low power operation with best-in-class drag efficiency — ideal for AUV and USV endurance
- Rugged IP68 Deck Unit for topside deployment in exposed marine environments
- Subsea version available for AUV payloads
