Surface Deployed Acoustic Modem 6

topside modems

HPT Modem Deployment

Modem 6 Midi Lander

Modem 6 Midi in use

modem micro being deployed

What you need to know

Transfers data at up to 9,000 bps
Support long range communications; up to 11 kilomteres
Highly reliably; built around our Wideband 2 acoustic and 6G hardware platform
Options for buoys, unmanned surface vehicles and ships

32.5Modem 6 acoustic modems are designed to wirelessly transfer sensor data from under the water to the surface at speeds between 200 and 9,000 bps. Built around our field-proven 6G hardware and Wideband 2 acoustic signal platforms, the technology found inside each acoustic Modem 6 instrument has safely transferred many gigabytes of clients’ data so whatever your application, and whatever the water depth, you can be assured of reliable communications performance.

MODEM 6 – ACOUSTIC MODEM

We offer sub-surface, OEM (no housing) and surface-deployed modems to suit any operational deployment scenario and data transfer mission. You can mount them on seafloor instruments, in an AUV, suspended from a surface buoy or in the hull of an unmanned surface vehicle, and leave them for days, months or years. Uniquely, Modem 6 instruments can be upgraded to offer positioning and navigation capability (e.g. LBL and USBL positioning) if your operational needs become more complex.

Surface Deployed Acoustic Modem 6 Options

Pairs of matching Modems 6 instrument can be used to send and receive your data. However we also offer a range of dedicated surface-deployed modems which can be installed permanently through the hull of your survey vessel, over-the-side of a vessel of opportunity or in the payload of an unmanned surface platform. These are optimised for maximum physical protection, communication range and support the highest data telemetry transfer rates.

	Modem 6 HPT Offers ultimate performance. Excellent vessel noise rejection and multiple receivers ensure the highest data rates possible. Can be upgraded to a Ranger 2 USBL transceiver • Proven 11km+ range capable • Optimised for noisy environments • Ideal for permanent vessel fit • Optional dunking kit
	Modem 6 Dunker A portable very rugged dunker system. Supplied with a 100m cable drum and interface unit, lower it into the water by10 metres to avoid surface or vessel interference. • Ideal for vessels-of-opportunity • Shock mounted electronics • MF/LMF omni or directional transducers • Buoy and seabed mounting option
	Modem 6 USV Boxed and sealed for integration on an Unmanned Surface Vehicle of your choice for remote data harvesting. Onboard processor allows scripts to be run on the vehicle reducing the bandwidth of the data link / costs to shore. • Low power electronics • Autonomous operation • Used on leading vehicles platforms • Custom design service available
	Modem 6 Mini (Surface Kit) If you’re using a pair of Minis, this accessory kit turns one of them into a lightweight dunker with protection from knocks and bumps during deployment and recovery. • Perfect for small vessels • RS485 comms interface • Supplied with cable and drum • Includes power and interface unit

More about this product

Underwater Acoustic Modem 6 Specifications & DataSheet

Feature		Modem 6 Transceiver 8182-001	Modem 6 Transceiver 8182-002
Operational Frequency		MF (21–32.5 kHz)	MF (21–32.5 kHz)
Transceiver Performance	Operating Range Acoustic Coverage	Up to 7,000 Metres Up to ± 90º	Up to 7,000 Metres Up to ± 90º Optimised for deep water (depending on frequency of operation)
Transmit Source Level	SL = dB re 1 uPa @ 1 m Tone Equivalent Energy (TEE)*	200 dB 206 dB (13 JA)	200 dB 206 dB (13 JA)
Electrical		48 V dc (±10%), Typical 15 W, max 120 W	48 V dc (±10%), Typical 15 W, max 120 W
Communication		RS485, baud rate switchable	RS485, baud rate switchable
Operating Temperature		-5 to 40ºC	-5 to 40ºC
Storage Temperature		-20 to 45ºC	-20 to 45ºC
Mechanical Construction		Aluminium bronze	Aluminium bronze
Dimensions; Height x Diameter		373 x 225 mm	442 x 310 mm
Weight in Air /Water**		28/15 kg	41/20 kg
Options		Tilted array adaptor	Tilted array adaptor
System Kit Contents		Sonardyne Part Number
Surface Interface Unit (SIU)		620-7079
Cable Drum (100 m)		641-3614
Deck Cable (5 m)		820-0127
Dunker Kit		641-3612

*TEE – WBv2+ signals are 4x the duration of Sonardyne tone signals (WBv1 & WBv2 are 2x). The TEE figure shows the operational performance when comparing wideband and tone systems.
Detection performance is directly related to the signal energy (Joules (Watt seconds)) and not power. WBv2+ signals are longer in duration (greater energy) than WBv1 and Tone, therefore the detection performance is the same or improved for low transmit source levels.
**Estimated Weights.

Transceiver	MRT Dunker – 8317
Operational Frequency	MF (21–32.5 kHz)
Operating Range	Up to 995 metres
Depth rating	25 metres
Acoustic Coverage	Greater than 200º
Range Accuracy*	Better than 15 mm
Angular Accuracy*	±3º
Transmit Source Level (re 1 uPa @ 1 m)	184 dB
Electrical	48 V dc (±10%) or PoE+ specification, Typical 1.5 W, Max 25.5 W
Communication	Ethernet 100 Mbps
Operating Temperature	-5 to 40ºC
Storage Temperature	-20 to 55ºC
Mechanical Construction	Stainless steel 316, PVC and polyurethane
Dimensions; Height x Diameter	177 mm x 106 mm (excluding connector)
Weight in Air/Water	1.84/0.99 kg
Cable	820-0406
Length	15 m
Description	Two Subconn MCIL-8M connectors (pin to pin wiring throughout)

*Note: The absolute accuracy of the system is dependent upon the quality of internal attitude and heading sensor (that can be influenced by outside sources such as magnetic material), beacon source level, vessel noise, water depth, mechanical rigidity of the transceiver deployment, sound velocity knowledge and proper calibration of the system.

System Features			Modem 6 Mini Type 8244-3111	Modem 6 Mini Type 8244-3112
Depth Rating			3,000 m	3,000/5,000/7,000 m
Frequency Band			MF (21–32.5 kHz)	MF (21–32.5 kHz)
Transducer Beam Shape			Omni-directional	Directional
Source Level (re 1 µPa @ 1 m)		High Power	187 dB	193 dB
		Low Power	181 dB	187 dB
Tone Equivalent Energy (TEE)* WBv2+		High Power	193 dB	199 dB
		Low Power	187 dB	193 dB
Range Precision			Better than 15 mm	Better than 15 mm
Depth Sensor			± 0.5% full scale	± 0.5% full scale
Communications Interface			RS232 (9,600–115,200 baud)
External Supply Voltage			24 or 48 V dc (± 10%)	24 or 48 V dc (± 10%)
External Power	Sleep Wideband Listening Battery Charging Peak (During Transmission)		<300 mW <500 mW 6 W <50 W	<300 mW <500 mW 6 W <50 W
External Power Switch			Yes	No
Battery Life (Li-ion 15 V)	Listening Continuous 5 Sec Interrogation		30 Days Approx 6 days at low power	30 Days Approx 6 days at low power
Operating Temperature			-5 to 40ºC	-5 to 40ºC
Storage Temperature			-20 to 55ºC	-20 to 55ºC
Mechanical Construction			Anodised aluminium alloy and plastics	Anodised aluminium alloy and plastics
Dimensions: Diameter x Length			98 mm x 499 mm	100 mm x 510 mm
Weights in Air/Water**			5.1/2.2 kg	7.0/3.5 kg
Options			Remote, cable connected transducer (see separate datasheet).
System Kit Contents
Surface Interface Unit (SIU)			620-7079
Cable Drum (70 m)			620-0236
Deck Cable (5 m)			820-0181
Side Protection Kit			890-0104

Feature	USV Modem 8297-000-01
Depth Rating	8 Metres
Operating Frequency	MF (21–32.5 kHz)
Transducer Beam Shape	Directional
Transmit Source Level (dB re 1µPa @ 1m)	187-196dB (4 Levels)
Tone Equivalent Energy (TEE*)	193-202 dB
Receive Sensitivity (dB re 1µPa)	90-120 dB (7 levels)
Acoustic Modem Data Rates	100-9000 bps (6 levels)
Dimensions Length x Width x Height	407 mm x 440 mm x 223 mm
Weight	11.5 kg
Internal Backup Battery	Rechargeable Lithium Ion (2.2 Ah)
Satellite Communications	Iridium RUDICS (2,400 bps)

*TEE – WBv2+ signals are 4x the duration (WBv1 & WBv2 are twice) of Sonardyne tone signals, therefore the TEE figure is to give the user an idea of the operational performance when comparing Wideband and Tone systems.