The EM 2040 was the first 3-sector broadband multibeam echosounder in the market, now available as a 200 - 700 kHz system. The system fulfills, and even surpasses, IHO-S44 Special Order and the more stringent LINZ specification. The operator can on the fly choose the best operating frequency for the application: 300 kHz for near-bottom, 200 kHz for deeper waters and 400 - 700 kHz for very high-resolution inspection. 600 kHz wide-area high-frequency mapping mode offers an unprecedented 100-120° swath width. 700 kHz inspection mode provides the highest resolution available contained within a narrow 30° swath.

By alternating between the frequency modes per ping, the system can provide the operator with a Multi-Frequency Backscatter of up to 5 frequencies in a single pass. The same functionality allows the system to alternate between a full swath mode and a high-resolution mode providing full coverage while maintaining ultra-high resolution over a target.
Due to the large operating bandwidth, the system has an output sample rate of up to 60 kHz. The system can effectively operate with very short pulse lengths, the shortest pulse being 14 microseconds giving a raw range resolution (CT/2) of 10.5 mm. The angular coverage for the 200 and 300 kHz is up to 170°, with coverage up to 8 times water depth on a flat bottom. For a dual transducer system, 220° angular coverage or 10 times the water depth is achieved on a flat bottom.

The EM 2040 MKII is a modular system, fully prepared for upgrading to cater to more demanding applications.

The basic system has four units: transmit transducer, receive transducer, processing unit and hydrographic workstation. 

The EM 2040 MKII receiver is 0.5° and is delivered with a 0.25° or 0.5° transmitter(s). The transmit fan is divided into three sectors pinging simultaneously at separate frequencies ensuring a strong and beneficial dampening of multibounce interference.

As an option the EM 2040 MKII can be delivered with dual swath capability, allowing a sufficient sounding density to meet survey coverage standards along the track while maintaining a high vessel speed. A single transmitter with a dual receiver setup fully exploits the unique angular coverage of our three-sector transmitter for full 220° angular coverage per ping.

The specialised dual transmitter and receiver setup are ideal where mounting requires a large separation of receivers, where mounting the transmitter at the keel is not an option or for ROV pipeline surveying and free span detection. This configuration transmits on a single sector per transmitter with selectable frequency in steps of 10 kHz from 200 to 400 kHz.