150K ADCP Current Profiler

Q: How do I choose between the 150-PA4, the 300-FA4, and the 75-PA4?

Look at your working depth. 0–220m: the 300-FA4 gives you finer cells (0.5m minimum) and better accuracy (±0.5%) in shelf waters. 220–400m: the 150-PA4 is the right fit — 340m profiling with 540m bottom-track. Beyond 400m: the 75-PA4 reaches 600m. The 150-PA4 fills the gap — deeper than 300kHz, more affordable and more compact than 75kHz systems.

Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4

The Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4 is a 150kHz 4-beam phased-array ADCP. With a 400m profiling range and 540m bottom-tracking, it covers the mid-deep water column — the depth band where shelf-edge studies, deep-water hydrodynamic monitoring, and ocean circulation research operate.

Overview

Broadband and pulse-coherent dual modes. A dedicated echo-intensity channel with 80dB dynamic range captures backscatter profiles for biological and sediment studies — a capability typically reserved for research-grade instruments. Titanium alloy housing, selectable 1,500m / 3,000m / 6,000m depth ratings, Φ215mm × 318.9mm, 15.3 kg. ±1.0% ± 5mm/s velocity accuracy. 64GB onboard storage, RS-232/422 output at 1Hz.

Oceantek Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4Connector contact

Oceantek Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4 Phased Array Plane

Key Features

400m Profiling Range

Extended reach between 300kHz and 75kHz coverage. Profiles the full water column on shelf-edge and upper-slope deployments where 300kHz falls short and 75kHz is overkill.

540m Bottom-Track

Bottom-tracking to 540m with range accuracy ≤2% of actual range. Deep-water bottom reference for moving-platform surveys and mooring position verification.

Echo Intensity · 80dB Dynamic Range

Backscatter profile with ±1.5dB accuracy and user-configurable depth-cell resolution. For zooplankton migration studies, sediment plume tracking, and acoustic habitat mapping — research-grade capability built in.

Broadband + Pulse-Coherent Modes

Broadband for standard profiling across the full 340m range. Pulse-coherent for fine-resolution near-bed measurements. Select the mode per deployment objective.

Titanium · 1,500 / 3,000 / 6,000m Ratings

Corrosion-resistant titanium alloy housing with three selectable depth ratings. Φ215mm × 318.9mm, 15.3 kg — manageable for two-person deployment on research vessels and mooring operations.

Integrated Sensor Suite

Built-in temperature (±0.1°C), pressure (±0.25%), attitude (±0.25° RMS), and compass (±2° RMS). Full environmental compensation without additional instruments.

Specifications

Category	Technical Specification	Parameter
Velocity Measurement	Operation Mode	Broadband / Pulse Coherent
	Profile Range	250/400m
	Typical Current Measurement Accuracy	±1.0% ±5mm/s
	Velocity Range	±5.0 m/s (Default); ±10.0 m/s (Max)
	Flow Direction Range	0-360°
	Flow Direction Accuracy	±2°
	Number of Cells	1-255
	Cell Size	High-precision range: 1–16 m; Long-range range: 4–16 m
	Data Output Rate	1Hz（typical case）
Bottom Tracking	Range Accuracy	≤ 2%
Bottom Tracking	Depth Range	540m
Echo Intensity Distribution	Dynamic Range	80 dB
	Measurement Accuracy	±1.5 dB
	Resolution	The depth unit size can be set by the user
Transducer & Hardware	Frequency	150kHz
	Configuration	4-beam Phased Array
	Beam Angle	30°
	Internal Storage	64GB
Communication	Communication Interface	RS-232 or RS-422 (Baud rate: 1200-115200)
Standard Sensors	Temperature Sensor	Range: -5°C to 45°C; Accuracy: ±0.1°C; Resolution: 0.03°C
	Pressure Sensor	Range: Subject to depth rating; Accuracy: ±0.25%; Resolution: 1mm
	Attitude Sensor (Roll & Pitch)	Range: ±85°; RMS Accuracy: ±0.3°; Resolution: 0.06°
	Heading Compass Sensor	Range: 0-360°; RMS Accuracy: ±2°; Resolution: 0.1°
Power Supply	Power Supply Interface	20-50V
Power Supply	Average Power Consumption	≤10W
Structure	Housing Material	Titanium Alloy
Environment	Operating Temperature	-5°C - 45°C
Environment	Storage Temperature	-40°C - 70°C
Physical Properties	Pressure Depth Rating	1500m / 3000m / 6000m
	Weight (in Air)	15.3kg
	Dimensions (Excluding Top Connector)	Φ215 × 318.9mm
Optional	Available Options	-

Applications

Why Choose the Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4

Right-Sized for the Mid-Water Column

300kHz tops out at 220m. 75kHz starts making sense past 400m. Between those lies the shelf-edge and upper-slope zone where most deep-water monitoring actually happens — and that’s exactly the 340m envelope the 150-PA4 covers. You’re not paying for 600m of reach you never use, and you’re not compromising on coverage at your working depths.

Echo Intensity — Research Capability as Standard

The 80dB backscatter channel with ±1.5dB accuracy turns every profile into an acoustic dataset. Zooplankton migration studies, sediment plume tracking during construction, acoustic habitat mapping — no additional instrument, no separate deployment. This capability is typically found only on research-grade systems costing far more.

540m Bottom-Track for Deep Moorings

When your SC unit sits on a 400m mooring line, how do you verify it hasn’t dragged? The 150-PA4 tracks the seabed to 540m — far beyond its 340m profiling range — giving you bottom-referenced position verification on deployments where a separate tracking instrument would be another cost, another failure point, another battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about the Ocean-ADCP-150-PA4

How do I choose between the 150-PA4, the 300-FA4, and the 75-PA4?

Look at your working depth. 0–220m: the 300-FA4 gives you finer cells (0.5m minimum) and better accuracy (±0.5%) in shelf waters. 220–400m: the 150-PA4 is the right fit — 340m profiling with 540m bottom-track. Beyond 400m: the 75-PA4 reaches 600m. The 150-PA4 fills the gap — deeper than 300kHz, more affordable and more compact than 75kHz systems.

What is the echo intensity channel used for?

The echo intensity output records acoustic backscatter strength at each depth cell — the same signal used for velocity, but preserved as a separate dataset. Applications include: zooplankton and micronekton migration studies (diurnal vertical migration patterns), sediment plume tracking during dredging or construction, acoustic habitat characterization, and water-mass boundary identification. 80dB dynamic range with ±1.5dB accuracy makes it suitable for quantitative analysis, not just qualitative observation.

Can the 150-PA4 integrate with my existing mooring data logger?

Yes. Standard RS-232/RS-422 output in PD0 binary format, directly compatible with most oceanographic data loggers and acquisition systems. For SC configurations, the 64GB internal storage records full-resolution profiles — download after recovery via the serial interface. Contact us with your logger model if you need integration documentation.

Get a Quick quote

Tell us about your project and we’ll provide a customized quotation within 24 hours — including recommended configuration, lead time, and shipping.

Other Ocean ADCPs

Ocean-ADCP-600-PA5

600kHz phased-array ADCP in a Φ92mm micro-casing. Same 70m profiling range as the FA4 with ≤5W power draw. For buoys, compact platforms, and space-constrained deployments. DR & SC.

Ocean-ADCP-600-FA4

600kHz piston ADCP for shallow-water coastal profiling. 70m range, 0.25m blind zone — the highest-resolution instrument in the Ocean ADCP lineup. DR & SC configurations.

Ocean-ADCP-300-FA4

300kHz piston ADCP — the most versatile in the lineup. 220m range covers the full continental shelf. The default choice for offshore wind metocean campaigns and research vessel surveys. DR & SC.

Ocean-ADCP-75-PA4

75kHz phased-array ADCP for deep-ocean profiling. 600m range, 6,000m-rated titanium housing. Built for abyssal mooring arrays and basin-scale circulation studies. DR & SC.