SonTek, a Xylem brand
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RiverSurveyor S5/M9 System Manual (February 2013)
Appendix F. SmartPulse
HD™
Principles
SmartPulse
HD™
is name chosen for the new profiling capabilities of the RiverSurveyor M9 and
S5. In general terms, it works as follows:
-
The RiverSurveyor continuously tracks water velocity and depth. Based upon these val-
ues, it selects the optimum processing configuration.
-
At any given time, the system is sending multiple pulse types, potentially at multiple fre-
quencies, using different processing techniques to achieve the optimum system perfor-
mance.
-
For the M9, up to three frequencies are used (3 MHz, 1 MHz, 0.5 MHz); for the S5, up to
two frequencies are used (3 MHz, 1 MHz).
-
A variety of different ping types and processing techniques: bottom tracking, bottom de-
tection, incoherent, pulse coherent, and broadband. Many of these pings types are used
in combination with each other. The exact pings types being used at any given time will
depend on the operating conditions.
-
The system tracks velocity and depth on a second-by-second basis, and update the ping
types and processing methods as needed based on changing conditions.
For the S5, two primary data types are output.
-
When the water is sufficiently shallow and slow, the system reports data from 3 MHz
pulse coherent pings using a 2 cm cell size.
o
Maximum operating depth is about 1.5 m.
o
At a depth of 1.5 m, the maximum velocity is about 0.4 m/s. The maximum ve-
locity increases significantly in shallower water.
-
In water depths and velocities greater than above, the system uses 3 MHz incoherent
pings with the cell size optimized based on the current water depth.
o
Depths less than 2 meters use 0.1 m cells
o
Depths 2-4 meters use 0.2 m cells.
o
Depths greater than 4 meters use 0.4 m cells.
For the M9, several different data types are output.
-
When the water is sufficiently shallow and slow, the system reports data from 3 MHz
pulse coherent pings using a 2 cm cell size.
o
Maximum operating depth is about 1.5 m.
o
At a depth of 1.5 m, the maximum velocity is about 0.4 m/s. The maximum ve-
locity increases significantly in shallower water.
-
In moderate depth/velocity conditions, the system reports data from 1 MHz pulse coher-
ent pings using a 6 cm cells size.
o
Maximum operating depth is about 5.0 m.
o
At a depth of 5.0 m, the maximum velocity is about 0.4 m/s. The maximum ve-
locity increases significantly in shallower water.
-
In water depths less than 5.0 m with velocities greater than the above, the system uses
3 MHz incoherent pings with the cell size optimized based on the current water depth.
