Coda Octopus Group, Inc. (CODA) (Nasdaq: CODA), a global leader in real-time 3D (4D) sonar technology and real-time subsea intelligence, today announced the launch of its revolutionary new 5-Dimensional and 6-Dimensional Imaging Sonars, branded Echoscope® PIPE (Parallel Intelligent Processing Engine. The 5-D and 6-D Echoscope® PIPE sonars embed the Company’s new powerful and innovative advance signal processing engine. This new engine enables parallel signal processing of every single sonar ping value within the sonar viewing volume. This breakthrough represents processing and availability of up to 40 million 3D backscatter data points per sonar ping in real time within the selected field of view, as compared to 16,384 data points per ping in the Company’s 3D/4D sonars currently in the market. This magnitude of data capturing and processing is unmatched in the Sonar Imaging Market. By comparison, competing technology (multibeam) returns, on average, up to 512 data points per sonar ping and only a narrow slice of data is available.
This ground-breaking technology’s ability to process all acoustic sonar data within the selected field of view is CODA’s 5-D full-time series capability. It presents an opportunity to the subsea sonar market to revolutionize operations through its adoption, as it allows multiple uses of this vast volume of underwater data available in real time. The Company’s new 6-D system which supports a range of configurable advance signal processing options, builds on the 5-D full-time series and allows for multiple simultaneous outputs enabling multiple 4D real-time images using different sonar settings, such as field of view, range and acoustic filter options.
5D and 6D bring a game-changing capability for underwater applications. It allows multiple simultaneous uses, in real time, by parallel processing the same sonar data as many different datasets or images – for example, to pilot a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and simultaneously deliver images of the seabed and targets of interests as well as data, to avoid near- and far-field hazards. Likewise, it enables inspection of underwater installations and visualization of dynamic operations and interventions – all at the same time, with the Company’s single sensor. Previously, only one data set could be configured, processed and displayed in real time. This technology breakthrough also enables much higher fidelity of resolving underwater targets in real time, due to the capability to infill all data points within the selected field of view of the sonar. Additionally, Echoscope® PIPE sonars, for the first time, will optionally offer the ability to store raw data that allows further offline re-processing of the acquired data, offering extensive capability to the defense and autonomous vehicle markets. 5D and 6D capabilities are unique and new to the sonar imaging market, and Coda Octopus is first mover in bringing this revolutionary technology and capability to the subsea market. The 5-D/6-D Echoscope® PIPE sonars are now scheduled for BETA trials with a significant customer.
Annmarie Gayle, CODA’s Chairman and CEO commented: “We have now taken a further seismic leap forward with the innovation and launch of our patented 5-Dimensional and 6-Dimensional Imaging Sonar, marketed under the name Echoscope® PIPE, which we believe will be decisive in standardizing our technology in the subsea market. In 2015, we embarked on an R&D program to re-innovate our real-time 3D sonar technology. In early 2018, we launched our hardware revisions – Echoscope4G® which packaged our technology in smaller, lighter and reduced-power form factors, of which we now have many variants (depth ratings of 4th Gen products launched). We continued to build on this, by developing our new software (4G USE), and our smart algorithms (the new advance signal processing engine) now released from R&D into production for early beta trials in the market. We believe these milestone achievements are all foundational to our growth prospects. Our fiscal year 2020 Business Plan reflects our change of focus from R&D to investing in Sales and Marketing. We are exceptionally pleased and proud to bring this significant paradigm shift to the Underwater Sonar Imaging Market and believe that, due to its demonstrable benefits and capabilities, this technology has the potential to quickly change the Underwater Imaging Sonar Market. 5D and 6D capabilities are novel and are subject to a number of patent applications.”
For additional information, please see the article entitled “5-D – 6D Sonars” in the current edition of Society for Underwater Technology’s magazine, UT2/UT3.
