Syrinx DVL Doppler Velocity Log with integrated ADCP

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Syrinx DVL Doppler Velocity Log with integrated ADCP

Syrinx DVL Doppler Velocity Log with integrated ADCP

Welcome to the future of your underwater navigation and profiling with Syrinx DVL. A dynamic solution combining a high-performance Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) with an integrated Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), designed to elevate your underwater operations.

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Sonardyne Syrinx is a high-performance Doppler Velocity Log for ROVs, AUVs, surface vessels and other marine platforms requiring accurate seabed-relative velocity and altitude measurements.

Syrinx can operate as a standalone DVL, integrate with Sonardyne SPRINT inertial navigation systems or provide velocity aiding to compatible third-party navigation systems.

The instrument is available in two acoustic frequencies:

  • 600 kHz: optimised for high-resolution velocity measurement, with bottom tracking to 175 m under suitable conditions.
  • 400 kHz: designed for extended-altitude operation, with bottom tracking to 230 m.

Optional ADCP functionality enables Syrinx to collect water-current profiles independently or at the same time as DVL navigation measurements, reducing the need for a separate current profiler.

Reliable Velocity Measurement Across Changing Terrain

Syrinx combines Doppler and correlation processing with adaptive acoustic signalling. The system automatically applies the measurement technique best suited to the operating altitude, seabed and acoustic environment.

Advanced processing helps maintain velocity output over undulating terrain, steep gradients and abrupt changes in seabed topography. This reduces periods of unaided inertial navigation when Syrinx is coupled with an INS.

A four-beam array measures motion relative to the seabed in three dimensions. The resulting velocity and altitude data can support vehicle guidance, dead reckoning, station keeping, survey navigation and control-system applications.

Typical Applications

ApplicationUse of Syrinx DVL
ROV guidance and station keepingProvides precise seabed-relative velocity and altitude information for piloting, automated control and maintaining vehicle position.
AUV navigationConstrains inertial drift during autonomous missions where GNSS is unavailable below the surface.
Hydrographic and geophysical surveySupplies vehicle velocity and altitude data for accurately georeferencing sonar, laser and other survey measurements.
Pipeline and cable inspectionSupports repeatable navigation and controlled altitude along subsea infrastructure.
Surface-vessel speed measurementMeasures speed over the ground for vessels operating in water depths within the DVL bottom-track range.
Current profilingOptional ADCP modes measure water velocity through multiple depth cells while the instrument operates independently or alongside DVL navigation.
Subsea constructionProvides navigation and altitude information during installation, intervention and construction operations.
Defence and scientific roboticsSupports long-duration autonomous or remotely operated missions requiring dependable velocity aiding.

Choosing the Syrinx Frequency

VariantBottom-Track RangeADCP Profiling RangeSelection Guidance
Syrinx 600 kHz0.4–175 m0.4–80 mBest suited to applications prioritising velocity precision and high-resolution tracking within the standard altitude range.
Syrinx 400 kHz0.4–230 m0.4–120 mRecommended where greater vehicle altitude or extended current-profiling range is required.

Maximum acoustic range depends on seabed composition, vehicle installation, water-column conditions, acoustic noise and successful bottom acquisition.

Detailed Overview

Adaptive Bottom Tracking

Syrinx uses both Doppler and correlation processing. Adaptive signalling allows the instrument to select an acoustic measurement approach suited to the altitude, terrain and environmental conditions.

This supports reliable bottom lock at both low and high altitude and helps maintain velocity measurements across changing seabed types and steep or uneven terrain.

Four-Beam Configuration

The instrument uses four acoustic beams arranged at a 30° beam angle. Measurements from the beams are combined to determine forward, lateral and vertical velocity relative to the seabed.

When tightly integrated with Sonardyne SPRINT INS, beam-level information can be used for velocity prediction, quality control and outlier rejection. This allows the navigation solution to make use of valid beam information when the complete standalone DVL solution is degraded.

Standalone or Integrated Operation

Syrinx can be used as:

  • – A standalone DVL
  • – A standalone ADCP
  • – A combined DVL and ADCP
  • – A velocity-aiding sensor for Sonardyne SPRINT INS
  • – A velocity input for a compatible third-party navigation system

The instrument can output multiple data formats simultaneously, allowing different vehicle and survey systems to receive the messages they require from a single DVL.

Optional ADCP Capability

The ADCP upgrade enables standalone current profiling or concurrent navigation and water-velocity profiling.

When integrated with SPRINT INS, inertial velocity can be used to compensate ADCP profiles for vehicle movement. This can support unbiased current measurements when bottom lock is unavailable or where the seabed itself is moving.

ADCP data can be recorded in an extended PD0 format containing acoustic and supporting navigation information. Sonardyne Echo Observer for Syrinx software can be supplied with the ADCP upgrade for viewing, quality control and export of recorded profiles.

Maintainable Transducer Design

Each of the four transducers can be replaced individually, helping to reduce maintenance cost and service time if one acoustic element is damaged.

An internal bulkhead provides additional protection against water ingress into the electronics compartment if a transducer is severely damaged.

Configuration and Diagnostics

An onboard web interface provides access to configuration, operating status, diagnostics and logged files through a standard network connection.

Concurrent Ethernet and serial communications allow Syrinx to interface with vehicle-control, navigation and survey systems using established data formats.

System Features
  • – Available in 600 kHz and 400 kHz variants
  • – Bottom-track range from 0.4 m to 175 m with the 600 kHz model and from 0.4 m to 230 m with the 400 kHz model
  • – Adaptive Doppler and correlation processing
  • – Reliable bottom lock across changing terrain and seabed conditions
  • – Four-beam array with 30° beam angle
  • – Vehicle velocity range greater than 10 m/s
  • – Velocity resolution of 0.01 cm/s
  • – DVL data output rate up to 25 Hz
  • – Optional standalone ADCP mode
  • – Optional concurrent DVL and ADCP operation
  • – ADCP profiling range up to 80 m at 600 kHz amd 120 m at 400 kHz
  • – Up to 255 ADCP depth cells
  • – ADCP ping rate up to 4 Hz
  • – Tight integration with Sonardyne SPRINT INS
  • – Compatible with third-party navigation systems
  • – Simultaneous output of multiple telegram formats
  • – Dual RS-232 communications
  • – Multi-port Ethernet with TCP and UDP
  • – Onboard web interface for configuration and diagnostics
  • – 32 GB internal logging memory
  • – Individually replaceable transducers
  • – Internal protective bulkhead
  • – Titanium construction
  • – 4,000 m and selected 6,000 m configurations
Technical Specifications

DVL Performance

Specification600 kHz400 kHz
Sonardyne product code8275-4531 / 8275-65318275-4561
Operating frequency600 kHz400 kHz
Single-ping bottom-velocity precision at 1 m/s±0.22 cm/s±0.28 cm/s
Long-term bottom-velocity accuracy±0.12% ±0.1 cm/s±0.22% ±0.1 cm/s
Minimum bottom-track altitude0.4 m0.4 m
Maximum bottom-track altitude175 m230 m
Velocity rangeGreater than 10 m/s
Velocity resolution0.01 cm/s
Maximum DVL data-output rate25 Hz
Water-reference velocity accuracy±0.2% ±0.1 cm/s
Beam width±1.0°±1.3°
Beam angle30°
Array configurationFour-beam array
Maximum transmit source level217 dB re 1 µPa at 1 m

The stated single-ping precision is the proven true horizontal velocity standard deviation at an altitude of 20–30 m. The 600 kHz version has a published bottom-acquisition range of 150 m and can track to 175 m after bottom lock under optimal seabed conditions.

Optional ADCP Performance

Specification600 kHz400 kHz
Profiling range0.4–80 m0.4–120 m
Along-beam velocity rangeUp to ±5.6 m/sUp to ±8.4 m/s
Velocity RMS±0.4% of measured value±0.4% of measured value
Layer or cell sizeSelectable
Maximum number of cells255
Maximum ADCP ping rate4 Hz
Maximum concurrent DVL and ADCP ping rate2.5 Hz

ADCP and concurrent DVL-plus-ADCP operation are optional capabilities and should be specified when the instrument is configured.

Communications, Sensors and Electrical Specifications

SpecificationPublished Value
CommunicationsDual RS-232 and multi-port Ethernet with TCP and UDP
Trigger input3–12 V; rising or falling edge configurable
Internal logging32 GB internal memory
Published output telegramsSonardyne proprietary, PD0, PD3, PD4, PD6, PD13 and SDDBT
Simultaneous telegram outputSupported
Optional pitch and roll sensor±0.5°
Optional pressure sensor±0.1% full scale
Sensor temperature range−5 to 40 °C
Input voltage24 VDC ±10%
Typical average power10 W nominal

Physical Specifications

ConfigurationDimensionsWeight in AirWeight in Water
600 kHz, 4,000 m189 mm high × 225 mm diameterapprox 12.0 kgapprox 9.1 kg
600 kHz, 6,000 m204 mm high × 225 mm diameterapprox 14.4 kgapprox 10.9 kg
400 kHz, 4,000 m189 mm high × 225 mm diameterapprox 11.3 kgapprox 8.5 kg
General SpecificationPublished Value
Housing materialTitanium
Connector typeSubConn
Operating temperature−5 to 55 °C
Storage temperature−20 to 55 °C
Installation and Integration Considerations

Clear Acoustic Field of View

Syrinx should be installed with a clear acoustic path from all four transducers toward the seabed. Vehicle frames, skids, payloads and other structures must not obstruct the beam geometry.

For a conventional downward-facing installation, sufficient clearance should be maintained around the acoustic beams and below the transducer face.

Mounting Height

Where practical, the DVL should be positioned high enough on the vehicle that it remains at least approximately 0.4 m above the seabed when the vehicle lands or operates close to the bottom.

This helps prevent operation below the instrument’s minimum effective bottom-track altitude.

Thruster and Flow Interference

The instrument should not be mounted directly within thruster wash, turbulent flow or areas where bubbles and aerated water may pass across the acoustic beams.

Acoustic noise, vibration and turbulent flow can reduce bottom-track range and measurement reliability.

Vehicle Alignment

The DVL forward reference should normally be aligned with the vehicle’s forward axis. Any angular mounting offsets must be measured accurately and entered into the navigation or control system.

Environmental Performance

The maximum published altitude should not be treated as a guaranteed range under every condition. Bottom-lock performance is influenced by:

  • Seabed composition and acoustic reflectivity
  • Suspended sediment and bubbles
  • Vehicle acoustic and electrical noise
  • Vehicle speed and attitude
  • Beam obstruction
  • Water-column conditions
  • Installation geometry

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