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Chirp 512i

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By Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center June 30, 2020

A sub-bottom profiler like the EdgeTech SB-512i Chirp emits acoustic pulses to produce an image of the layers of sediment below the seafloor.

The EdgeTech SB-512i, or “Chirp,” is a sub-bottom profiler. The Chirp produces frequency-modulated acoustic pulses in the 0.5-12 kHz range and records their reflections to create two-dimensional images (cross-sections or “profiles”) of the sediment layers beneath the seafloor.  See the gray illustration below for an example. The Chirp’s acoustic penetration can range from 20-200 m, and vertical resolution can be as good as 8 cm, depending on factors such as sediment type and sea state.  The system consists of a tow vehicle (fish) that has both transmit and receive arrays, a 75 m data cable, and a deck unit with a power amplifier and top side processor.  The processor contains a Sonar Interface board that is required for, among other things, converting between analog and digital signals.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: EdgeTech
  • Model: SB-512i (3200-XS Sub-Bottom Profiling System)
  • Weight: 450 lbs in air
  • Dimensions: 62"x53"x18", 68"x54"x28" shipped
  • Power Requirements: 120 VAC

Operational Characteristics

A man guides a data collection instrument, that is strapped to two large pontoons, out into water from the stern of a boat.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The Chirp attached to Cataraft
  • Minimum Operational Depth: 3 m (with use of Cataraft)
  • Maximum Operational Depth: 300 m
  • Tow Height: 3-5 m above sea floor OR 15 m or greater below sea surface
  • Sediment Type: Any, penetration will vary from 30 m in coarse sand to 250 m in clays
  • Limitations: Tow height of the fish is limited by the length of data cable (75 m). On large vessels the topside unit must be located sufficiently close to the tow point of the fish that the there is enough data cable to reach desired tow depth.
  • Power Outputs / Freq. Ranges 2000 W, 0.5 – 12 kHz
  • Ship’s Requirements
    • Winch and over-boarding gear with 2000lb SWL
    • 1 person must be able to stand sufficiently close to the wire during deployment to marry the data cable to the tow cable with zip ties
    • 62"x53" footprint

Additional Equipment Required

  • In shallow water, the Chirp can be used with a Cataraft, a buoyed frame that can be used for surface-towing the Chirp.
  • The Chirp topside PC needs software, like Edgetech’s 'Discover' software (free), to collect and view data in real-time.

  

View from the deck of a boat that has equipment sitting on the deck and a bridge in the background.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Chirp 512i
Ship crew stand near a piece of equipment attached to cables on the deck of a ship with the ocean in the background.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Chirp 512i
Two identical illustrations show the sediment layers under the seafloor, one as raw data and the other with interpretive labels.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Example of the geophysical data collected with the Chirp

Learn more about MarFac, the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility.

link
Photo looking up at a man wearing safety gear and cold weather clothing holding a big drill with puffy white clouds in the sky.

PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
Learn More
link
A large truck is parked near the wall of a building with a boat on the attached boat trailer.

PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
Learn More
link
Three men working on the back of a small boat operating gear and moving equipment.

PCMSC MarFac Team

Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Team

Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Learn More
link
Small silver metal boat with USGS lettering on the side, water is splashing up on the side and a small wake is formed.

PCMSC MarFac Vessels

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Vessels

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Learn More

A sub-bottom profiler like the EdgeTech SB-512i Chirp emits acoustic pulses to produce an image of the layers of sediment below the seafloor.

The EdgeTech SB-512i, or “Chirp,” is a sub-bottom profiler. The Chirp produces frequency-modulated acoustic pulses in the 0.5-12 kHz range and records their reflections to create two-dimensional images (cross-sections or “profiles”) of the sediment layers beneath the seafloor.  See the gray illustration below for an example. The Chirp’s acoustic penetration can range from 20-200 m, and vertical resolution can be as good as 8 cm, depending on factors such as sediment type and sea state.  The system consists of a tow vehicle (fish) that has both transmit and receive arrays, a 75 m data cable, and a deck unit with a power amplifier and top side processor.  The processor contains a Sonar Interface board that is required for, among other things, converting between analog and digital signals.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: EdgeTech
  • Model: SB-512i (3200-XS Sub-Bottom Profiling System)
  • Weight: 450 lbs in air
  • Dimensions: 62"x53"x18", 68"x54"x28" shipped
  • Power Requirements: 120 VAC

Operational Characteristics

A man guides a data collection instrument, that is strapped to two large pontoons, out into water from the stern of a boat.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The Chirp attached to Cataraft
  • Minimum Operational Depth: 3 m (with use of Cataraft)
  • Maximum Operational Depth: 300 m
  • Tow Height: 3-5 m above sea floor OR 15 m or greater below sea surface
  • Sediment Type: Any, penetration will vary from 30 m in coarse sand to 250 m in clays
  • Limitations: Tow height of the fish is limited by the length of data cable (75 m). On large vessels the topside unit must be located sufficiently close to the tow point of the fish that the there is enough data cable to reach desired tow depth.
  • Power Outputs / Freq. Ranges 2000 W, 0.5 – 12 kHz
  • Ship’s Requirements
    • Winch and over-boarding gear with 2000lb SWL
    • 1 person must be able to stand sufficiently close to the wire during deployment to marry the data cable to the tow cable with zip ties
    • 62"x53" footprint

Additional Equipment Required

  • In shallow water, the Chirp can be used with a Cataraft, a buoyed frame that can be used for surface-towing the Chirp.
  • The Chirp topside PC needs software, like Edgetech’s 'Discover' software (free), to collect and view data in real-time.

  

View from the deck of a boat that has equipment sitting on the deck and a bridge in the background.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Chirp 512i
Ship crew stand near a piece of equipment attached to cables on the deck of a ship with the ocean in the background.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Chirp 512i
Two identical illustrations show the sediment layers under the seafloor, one as raw data and the other with interpretive labels.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Example of the geophysical data collected with the Chirp

Learn more about MarFac, the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility.

link
Photo looking up at a man wearing safety gear and cold weather clothing holding a big drill with puffy white clouds in the sky.

PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Field Equipment and Capabilities

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility’s vast array of field equipment, sampling devices, and mapping systems, and our capabilities. Our engineers, designers, mechanics, and technicians have also designed and developed some of the specialized field equipment we use in field operations in the nearshore, in the deep sea, and on land.
Learn More
link
A large truck is parked near the wall of a building with a boat on the attached boat trailer.

PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC Marine Facility (MarFac)

Learn about the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Marine Facility, or MarFac
Learn More
link
Three men working on the back of a small boat operating gear and moving equipment.

PCMSC MarFac Team

Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Team

Below is the list of our fieldwork specialists at PCMSC's Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Learn More
link
Small silver metal boat with USGS lettering on the side, water is splashing up on the side and a small wake is formed.

PCMSC MarFac Vessels

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

PCMSC MarFac Vessels

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center uses a wide variety of vessels, from kayaks to open-ocean ships, to conduct fieldwork. Most vessels are managed by our Marine Facility, or MarFac.
Learn More
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