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Imagine standing on the deck of a research vessel, and deploying a sonar system that does not just give you a flat, two-dimensional image, but instead builds a full 3D representation of the underwater environment. That is precisely what the Ping DSP 3DSS sonar does. Developed with Computed Angle-of-Arrival Transient Imaging (CAATI) technology, it offers:
· Ultra-wide swath bathymetry
· High-resolution 2D sidescan imagery
· Lidar-like 3D sidescan imagery
The best part? All of this data is collected simultaneously and co-registered in real time, which is making surveys more efficient and insightful than ever before. Whether you are mapping riverbeds, assessing erosion, conducting maritime archaeology, or searching for missing objects, this sonar brings clarity to the unknown.

Designed for the Field
It is common now to see surveyors working with big, bulky, and complicated equipment that takes hours to set up. Whereas, this unit is compact, easy to deploy, and works seamlessly with small vessels, unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Whether you are pole-mounting it on a skiff or integrating it into a AUV, it adapts to your needs.

Trusted Around the World
Top organizations like the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) have been relying on this technology and testing its capabilities. As well as government agencies - naval forces, private firms, and research institutions worldwide are using the Ping DSP technology to push the boundaries and achieve more in maritime exploration.
Environmental Awareness
By integrating with digital twin technology, the 3DSS sonar enhances environmental and nearshore community awareness, complementing terrestrial models. Its accurate wide-swath bathymetry exceeds International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Special Order standards, offering operational depths from water level to approximately 75 meters and swath widths up to 14 times the water depth.


Different System Configurations
This system comes in multiple configurations, because not every survey is alike:
3DSS-iDX: Fully integrated with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for high-precision surveys.
3DSS-DX: Offers the same exceptional sonar data but connects with an external GNSS/IMU—perfect for vessels with existing navigation systems.
3DSS-OEM: Optimized for AUV and USV integration, available in depth ratings of 100m or 500m.
Software Suite
Every system includes an advanced acquisition software suite featuring:
Real-time 3D visualization of sidescan data
Bathymetry chart and profile displays
Data logging for post-processing
XTF file conversion for compatibility with third-party software
And because compatibility matters, the data integrates effortlessly with industry-leading hydrographic software like Hypack, BeamWorx, QINSy, SonarWiz, PDS, and EIVA.

Real-World Applications
At Seismic Asia Pacific, we have two popular 3DSS systems that our customers are continually uncovering hidden underwater stories with. From mapping historic shipwrecks to tracking erosion in fragile marine ecosystems, the ability to see the unseen is reshaping what is possible in hydrography.
Want to see this technology in action?
Explore some more real world case studies below:






