Direct-reading ADCP
Oceantek Direct-reading ADCP is a high-precision acoustic doppler current profiler with real-time direct reading, offering three core frequency models (600kHz, 300kHz, 75kHz) to meet diverse water depth and monitoring needs, widely used in hydrological and marine applications.
Direct-Reading ADCP: Choosing the Right Frequency
The single most important decision when selecting a direct-reading ADCP is operating frequency. It determines how deep you can profile and at what resolution. Here is the practical decision matrix:
| Your Survey Conditions | Recommended Model | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Rivers, estuaries, harbors < 50m deep | ADCP-600-DR-FA4 | Highest resolution (0.5–4m bins). Best for discharge measurement and shallow sea surveys. |
| Coastal surveys, offshore wind 50–160m | ADCP-300-DR-FA4 | Balances range (up to 220m) and resolution (1–8m bins). The workhorse for continental shelf work. |
| Deep ocean 160–1000m | ADCP-75-DR-PA4 | Longest range. 75 kHz penetrates to 600m+. Essential for deep-water mooring surveys and basin-scale studies. |
| Small AUV/USV with tight payload space | ADCP-600-PA5 (Phased Array) | Flat-face transducer — no protruding piston elements. 70% smaller frontal area. Ideal for compact unmanned platforms. |
Direct-Reading ADCP Products
ADCP-600K
High-frequency doppler profiler, up to 120m range,high precision, compact and easy to install. Suitable for shallow water, coastal zones.
ADCP-300K
Medium-frequency universal model, up to 220m range, balancing detection depth and resolution, compatible with manned / unmanned platforms.
ADCP-75K
Low-frequency flagship model for deep sea, with long detection range and pressure-resistant design. Up to 1000m range, tailored for marine observation.
ADCP-600K(Phase Array)
Integrated flat plane phased array transducer, no protruding separate sensors, greatly reduces flow noise and hydrodynamic interference.
Direct-Reading ADCP Specification Comparison
| Technical Specification | 600kHz Model | 300kHz Model | 75kHz Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Frequency | 600kHz | 300kHz | 75kHz |
| Underwater Profile Range (Broadband/Narrowband) | 55m / 70m | 120m / 160m | 550m / 650m |
| Bottom Track Range | 0.8m - 120m | 2m - 220m | 1000m |
| Current Measurement Accuracy | ±0.3% ± 3mm/s | ±0.5% ± 5mm/s | ±1.0% ± 5mm/s |
| Velocity Range | ±5.0 m/s (Default); ±20.0 m/s (Max) | ±5.0 m/s (Default); ±20.0 m/s (Max) | ±5.0 m/s (Default); ±10.0 m/s (Max) |
| Data Refresh Rate | 2Hz (No Bottom Track); 1Hz (With Bottom Track) | 2Hz (No Bottom Track); 1Hz (With Bottom Track) | 1Hz (No Bottom Track); 0.5Hz (With Bottom Track) |
| Cell Size (Bin Size) | 0.5m - 4m | 1m - 8m | 4m - 32m |
| Beam Angle | 20° | 20° | 30° |
| Average Power Consumption | ≤10W | ≤10W | ≤20W |
| Operation Mode | Direct Reading | ||
| Battery Capacity | - | ||
| Velocity Resolution | 1mm/s | ||
| Flow Direction Range | 0~360° | ||
| Flow Direction Accuracy | ±2° | ||
| Number of Cells (Bins) | 1 - 255 | ||
| Height Measurement Resolution | 1mm | ||
| Height Measurement Accuracy | ±1% ± 0.5cm | ||
| Beam Width | 3.5° | ||
| Number of Beams | 4 Beams Janus Configuration | ||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB Micro SD Card | ||
| Communication Interface | RS-232 or RS-422 | ||
| Temperature Sensor | Range: -5°C to 45°C; Accuracy: ±0.1°C | ||
| Pressure Sensor | Range: According to depth rating; Accuracy: ±0.25% | ||
| Attitude Compass Sensor | Range: Roll ±85° | Pitch ±85° | Heading 0-360°; Accuracy (RMS): Roll 0.2° | Pitch 0.2° | Heading 0.8°; Resolution: 0.1° | ||
| Operating Temperature | -5°C to 45°C | ||
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 70°C | ||
| Power Supply Interface | 20V - 50V, 5A | ||
| Housing Material | Titanium Alloy | ||
Applications
- Inland rivers, small reservoirs, nearshore shallow seas (600kHz)
- Nearshore seas, channels, ports, regular hydrological stations (300kHz)
- Open/deep sea research, deep-water engineering, marine safety (75kHz)
- Hydrological monitoring, marine exploration, environmental assessment, emergency monitoring
Why Direct-Reading? Real-Time Data Changes Everything
A direct-reading ADCP transmits velocity data to the surface as it measures — every depth cell, every ping, in real time. This is not a minor convenience. It fundamentally changes how surveys are conducted:
| Capability | Self-Contained ADCP | Direct-Reading ADCP |
|---|---|---|
| See data during survey | ❌ Recover instrument first | ✅ Instant display on survey laptop |
| Quality-check on site | ❌ Days/weeks later | ✅ Flag bad data immediately, re-run if needed |
| Adapt survey strategy | ❌ Fixed plan | ✅ Adjust transect spacing, depth, duration on the fly |
| DP vessel reference | ❌ Not possible | ✅ Real-time current input to dynamic positioning |
| Deployment window | Weeks to months (autonomous) | Hours to days (manned vessel present) |
Phased Array vs Piston Transducer: What's the Difference?
Traditional ADCPs use piston transducers — individual cylindrical ceramic elements, each mechanically aimed at a fixed angle (typically 20–30° from vertical). This works well but creates a bulky transducer head with protruding elements.
Phased array ADCPs use a flat ceramic plate with multiple small elements. By electronically controlling the phase delay between elements, the acoustic beam is steered — no moving parts, no protruding pistons. Benefits:
- Smaller form factor: Flat face, 70% less frontal area. Fits small USV hulls and AUV payload bays that can’t accommodate piston heads.
- Lower flow noise: No protruding elements means less turbulence around the transducer face. Cleaner velocity data at higher vessel speeds.
- Electronic beam steering: Beam angle can be adjusted in firmware, not fixed at manufacture.
The trade-off: phased array transducers are more complex to manufacture and calibrate. For most vessel-mounted surveys, piston transducers (FA4 series) are the proven, cost-effective choice. For compact unmanned platforms, the PA5 phased array is the right tool.
Why Choose Us
High Precision
Matches the performance of global leading companies
Small Size
Much smaller in size than international products with equivalent performance.
Superior Reliability
Continuous working time ≥ 100 days.
Excellent compatibility
Compatible with protocols of similar products from international brands
Underwater navigation Instruments:DVL
Designed for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROVs), Oceantek Doppler Velocity Log delivers high-precision underwater navigation solutions.
DVL-300K:Bottom tracking depth ranges from 1m to 220m, perfectly suitable for core coastal scenarios.
DVL-600K:Bottom tracking depth ranges from 0.7m to 110m, perfectly suitable for core shallow water scenarios.