NORBIT WINGHEAD i80S Apogee Overview

The NORBIT WINGHEAD i80S Apogee is a compact multibeam echo sounder system designed for high-resolution seabed mapping. It combines a tightly integrated sonar and inertial navigation system, offering both precision and stability in dynamic marine environments.

The WINGHEAD platform was introduced as an evolution of NORBIT’s earlier WBMS series. It offers 1024 true beams with beam widths of 0.5° x 0.9° at 400kHz, and supports a wide frequency range from 200 to 700kHz. These characteristics make it well suited for detailed surveys in coastal and nearshore environments, where resolution and versatility are key.

The i80S variant adds motion-stabilisation features and is now available with an integrated SBG Apogee GNSS/INS. This inertial system provides high-accuracy roll, pitch, and heading data, which is essential for ensuring data consistency during vessel movement.

One of the key features of the i80S Apogee is its ability to compensate for vessel motion in real time. The system adjusts for:

• Roll: Maintaining swath width in choppy conditions

• Pitch: Improving along-track consistency

• Yaw: Ensuring even sounding distribution despite minor heading changes

  
  

These adjustments help reduce gaps in coverage and minimise the need for resurveying, particularly in less-than-ideal sea states.

The system also includes Dual Swath functionality, where two ping cycles are transmitted simultaneously. This can either increase data density or allow for higher survey speeds, depending on the project's requirements.

In addition, STX scanning mode allows the sonar to steer its transmit beam up to ±10°, which can be helpful when surveying around structures like bridge piers or port infrastructure. This function enables better coverage in areas that would typically produce acoustic shadows.

The WINGHEAD i80S Apogee supports real-time data acquisition and is also compatible with Qinertia, a post-processing software package. This allows operators to correct for GNSS outages and improve positioning quality in environments where satellite signal is intermittent - such as under bridges or near large structures.

All data, including raw GNSS/INS logs, are recorded automatically by the system’s user interface, allowing for a streamlined post-survey workflow.

Deployment Considerations:

The system is compact and lightweight, with a single-cable connection handling power, control, and data transfer. It’s designed for quick mobilisation on small vessels and is well suited to fieldwork requiring flexible setup and short lead times.

This system is available for use across a wide range of hydrographic applications, from environmental studies and habitat mapping to infrastructure inspection and research deployments.

At Seismic Asia Pacific, we provide training and support for organisations looking to adopt this technology into their workflow.

For technical specifications or integration guidance, feel free to get in touch.