Forward Looking Sonars

A unique design for real-time obstacle detection

The SeapiX-FLS Series, which embeds its own Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), provides a clear and precisely georeferenced picture of the surrounding environment. Thanks to its unique, three-dimensional coverage of the water column and bathymetric profile, the SeapiX-FLS Series offers extremely accurate, real-time obstacle detection, as well as object analysis (based on position and kinematic, target strength index, acoustic measurements, etc.), ensuring vessels safe navigation.

Thanks to its innovative electronically steerable Mils Cross antennas, the SeapiX-FLS Series provides unrivaled coverage of the entire water column, from surface to sea bottom. Each detection is then mapped in real-time within the surrounding environment, and autonomously provided to external systems, or is displayed in 2D/3D within iXblue’s operator oriented MMI. This ultimately provides crews with a clear picture of what lies ahead, both at the surface and subsea.

Having a long detection range and high accuracy is one thing. But SeapiX-FLS goes even further by providing a detailed scan of everything within its range using four different types of swaths. It can even track identified targets for confirmation.

No need to be a sonar expert to operate SeapiX-FLS. Fully dynamic, the detection, tracking, classification, and avoidance capabilities can run in the background in full autonomy. Should you need it, the process can also be set manually, case by case, allowing for maximum flexibility.

Providing real-time obstacle detection probability map

 
Another key feature of the SeapiX-FLS Series is the ability to generate a real-time obstacle detection probability map. This information is crucial for crew decision making, allowing them to adapt their speed according to their underwater environment, and thus navigate with more safety both for the crew and the platform.

Increased detection coverage can be reached by combining multiple SeapiX-FLS on the same vessel, with no further hassle for the operator thanks to the SeapiX-FLS user-friendly MMI. This MMI can centralize and simultaneously display information gathered by the multiple SeapiX sonars.

The SeapiX-FLS Series offers a scalable solution that can be mounted on all crewed and uncrewed surface and subsea vehicles. It can be integrated on hulls, hoisting systems or within gondolas. Specific integration can be discussed between integrator, ship builder and iXblue.

The SeapiX-FLS Series can also be installed on fixed platforms (buoys, tripods on the seabed…) for port and subsea infrastructure monitoring operations.