Hydrography and Bathymetry
Bathymetric or Hydrographic surveys are survey methods used for submarine topography that have been implemented to observe marine landscapes and structures for several decades. With the technology for executing a survey becoming more affordable, many businesses that can benefit from such data begin to pursue the proper equipment. Most users have a common goal of being environmentally aware of changes occurring due to their interaction with nature. Studying these changes usually involves measuring the physical and chemical features of a body of water or generating a 3D map of an underwater landscape/structure to show its current state or how it changes over time. A few examples of these survey methods being put into practice are:
- Floodplain analysis
- Dock maintenance
- Seafloor tectonic interpretation
- Submarine life conservation
- Submarine natural resources deposit investigations
Enhancing Accuracy with Input From External Sensors
While operating on water, it’s always beneficial to input aiding data from other sensors to increase the accuracy of position, orientation, and velocity. During extensive maneuvers or testing during harsh weather conditions, increased accuracy from external input into the Inertial Labs Motion Reference Units (MRUs) provides an extra layer of comfort. This aiding data, whether from a Stand-Alone Magnetic Compass (SAMC) or the vessel’s gyrocompass, supplies necessary heading corrections, particularly during GPS outages. These instruments do not rely on satellite Line of Sight (LoS). Additionally, data can be input into the Inertial Labs MRUs from an external GNSS receiver or a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL).

The Inertial Labs MRU-PD can receive data from external sensors using industry-wide accepted sentence formats, which are directly passed to internal algorithms while operating. Such sentences are National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) messages. The NMEA-0183 sentence structure has many variants that can be used depending on the application’s need.
Compatibility with Single and Multi-Beam Echosounder
Building a quality hydrographic survey system means potentially integrating an MRU with other devices to form a stable framework. When investigating market solutions for integrable products to create a complete solution for surveying, the nature of how compatible the device is could help you avoid delays and unnecessary expenses. Inertial Labs offers full compatibility with Single and Multi-Beam Echosounders (SBES, MBES). Unlike an SBES, an MBES utilizes multiple acoustic transducers arranged radially to increase the swath width when performing surveys. The image below shows the difference.

With ping rates of MBESs as high as 50 Hz, you can be confident that regardless of the water depth, when paired with an Inertial Labs MRU-PD, acceptable surveying data can be gathered without having to perform numerous passes. The MRU-PD has been tested and works seamlessly with MBES manufacturers like Teledyne, Klein Marine Systems, Kongsberg, ITER SYSTEMS, and NORBIT.
The Inertial Labs MRU-PD is Compatible with Multi-Beam Echosounders from:

Fast and Reliable Post-Processing with HYPACK or QINSY
Post-processing surveyed data shouldn’t be a painful process. That’s why Inertial Labs has got your back when it comes to post-processing results. The MRU-PD is designed to collaborate with the most popular post-processing packages, such as HYPACK, Qinsy, and Qimera. Regarding hydrography and bathymetry, these programs are the best for functionality and usability. These programs provide the best solutions to deal with collected data in a user-friendly way. HYPACK and QPS, who own both QINSy and Qimera, have been on the market for a long time and are knowledgeable enough to adapt to ever-changing application requirements using new technologies. With Inertial Labs collaborating with these companies, who are masters of their craft, you know you will receive the best products on the market with in-depth instruction and excellent customer care.

A Product You Can Trust: The Inertial Labs MRU-PD
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) approval process involves a design and manufacturing assessment to confirm that a product is developed that conforms to the set industry standards and requirements that specifically apply to maritime and offshore assets. Depending on the manufacturing process, ABS can provide individual Unit Approval labels for more custom products manufactured in smaller quantities or a Type Approval label that supports an efficient product certification process for bulk production in larger quantities.

During the technical evaluation of all Inertial Labs MRU product line members, including MRU-PD, ABS assessed assembly drawings, designs, and datasheets. Due to their assembly process and ability to determine Pitch and Roll, Heave, Sway Surge; Accelerations (X, Y, and Z); Angular Rates (about X, Y, and Z axes); Heading, Velocity and Positions; the Inertial Labs MRU products are recognized as suitable for use with Dynamic Positioning Systems (DPS-1, DPS-2 and DPS-3) with an ABS approval label standing behind. ABS confirms the performance accuracy of 0.05 meters in measuring Heave and an accuracy of 0.02 degrees when measuring Pitch & Roll (both while operating within the temperature range of -40 °C to 70 °C). As a result, the Inertial Labs MRU products were issued Tier-2 PDA Certificate (Serial number 19-HS1851412-PDA,) which ensures that the Inertial Labs MRU family doesn’t require unit certification to be installed on ABS-classed vessels.
Regularly producing a controlled, quality product is one of the top priorities of the Inertial Labs team. The ABS stamp of approval is just one of the many things that sets us apart from other market competitors. We can build lasting partnerships backed by trust and respect by staying focused on our products’ precision and accuracy while collaborating with the ABS community.

