The Omniscan 450 SS is a traditional side‑scan sonar featuring a separate transducer and PCBA. It delivers a tall, very narrow fan beam, providing excellent along‑track resolution and long‑range performance. The Omniscan 450 SS is available in both the standard and BlueBoat form factors.

Description

The Omniscan 450 SS offers an extended operating range of up to 150 m and a 0.5° beam width, delivering high along‑track resolution. Cross‑track resolution is user‑configurable, down to 1/1200th of the selected range, allowing fine control over image detail.

SonarView can generate a classic side‑scan “waterfall” display when no navigation data is available. When GPS position and heading are provided by the vehicle, SonarView can instead build a fully georeferenced mosaic, accurately compensating for both translational and rotational motion. If the seabed return from Omniscan is sufficient—or if an external depth input is supplied—SonarView can also produce a 3D, depth‑compensated view, assuming a flat seabed surface.

SonarView Scan

SonarView screen capture showing a 3D visualization of sonar data being “painted” onto the seafloor. This is not a simulation, but a replay of an actual Omniscan log file.

Integration & Installation

Omniscan 450 SS mounted on a Blue Robotics BlueBoat

IMPORTANT:
When used with the BlueBoat, the BR‑102295 “Cerulean Omniscan 450 SS Integration Kit” from Blue Robotics is required. This kit includes the necessary hull‑mounting brackets.

Side‑Scan Operation

The Omniscan 450 SS transducer is rated for operation down to 300 m depth. For conventional side‑scan applications covering both port and starboard simultaneously, two Omniscan 450 SS units can be combined within SonarView and operated as a single, integrated system.

The electronics module must be installed inside the vehicle’s watertight enclosure.

Omniscan 450 Compact – Compact Imaging Sonar

The Omniscan 450 Compact is a new addition to the Omniscan family, introduced in a compact packaging format designed to support most small ROV platforms. This widely compatible form factor significantly simplifies mechanical integration, making it ideal for space‑constrained vehicles.

Compact Design & Connectivity

The Omniscan 450 Compact includes an internal Ethernet switch and features three external ports, allowing up to two additional Ethernet devices to be daisy‑chained while using only a single Ethernet connection to the vehicle. This reduces cabling complexity and conserves valuable vehicle interfaces.

Alternatively, one of the external ports can be used to integrate pressure and/or temperature sensors. An additional enhancement is an externally visible status LED, providing power indication and supporting diagnostic functions.

Omniscan & SonarView

All Omniscan variants (FS, SS, and Compact) use a fixed, narrow, tall fan‑beam geometry. Working in combination with SonarView, Omniscan mosaics returns from thousands of individual beam echoes, converting vehicle motion into a detailed sonar image.

As the ROV or surface vessel moves, SonarView continuously “paints” the seabed image, delivering excellent situational awareness—even in extremely turbid conditions. On surface vessels with GPS or ROVs equipped with DVL, image generation accounts for both translational and rotational motion.

Doppler Motion Tracking

For underwater vehicles without external positioning data, Omniscan’s patent‑pending Doppler Motion Tracking provides translational motion information along the beam direction. By using two Omniscan 450 FS units—one forward‑facing and one mounted 90° to the side—full 2D motion tracking becomes possible. With suitable vehicle integration, this also enables position‑hold capability.

Operator‑Controlled Scanning

When mounted on an ROV, the Omniscan 450 Compact places scanning directly under pilot control. The operator can focus instantly on areas of interest, rather than waiting for a mechanical scanning sonar to sweep to a desired sector.

Using “Heading Up” mode in SonarView, manual scanning becomes intuitive and responsive, resulting in faster interpretation and superior situational awareness during operations.

What’s in the Box

Standard configuration

• Omniscan 450 Compact with Ethernet and power leads

• Two unused ports fitted with blank penetrators

Optional

• 1–3 bulkhead connectors

Omniscan 450 FS – Forward‑Looking Imaging Sonar

The Omniscan 450 FS is purpose‑built for forward‑looking ROV applications, delivering exceptional situational awareness in low‑visibility environments. The transducer and electronics are integrated into a single, compact enclosure with a combined Ethernet and power interface. Two enclosure variants are available, rated for 100 m or 300 m operating depth.

Intuitive Operator Control

Unlike traditional imaging sonars that rely on slow mechanical scanning, the Omniscan 450 FS puts image generation directly under pilot control. Rather than waiting for a scanner to sweep an area, the sonar builds images dynamically as the ROV moves.

Using Cerulean’s SonarView software, sonar data is “painted” in real time, allowing pilots to immediately focus on areas of interest and adapt their scan strategy on the fly. The result is fast, intuitive operation and excellent situational awareness, even in the most turbid conditions.

Performance

The Omniscan 450 FS provides a forward range of up to 120 m, enabling reliable target detection regardless of water clarity. Its 50° vertical beam height ensures visibility of both distant objects and nearby features, even when operating well above the seabed.

Designed to support confident navigation and target approach, the Omniscan 450 FS is particularly effective for wreck hunting, obstacle avoidance, and general navigation. It reveals details that many imaging sonars miss and delivers image quality that rivals—or exceeds—forward‑looking multibeam sonars costing up to 10× more.

Doppler Mode

For ROVs without DVL‑based motion data, Omniscan Doppler Position Tracking provides translational movement information along the sonar beam direction. By using two Omniscan 450 FS units—one forward‑facing and one mounted 90° to the side—full 2D motion tracking can be achieved. With appropriate system integration, this also enables position‑hold functionality.

What’s in the Box

• Omniscan 450 FS with Ethernet + power wiring cable

• Blue Robotics RJ45 to JST‑GH adapter

Real‑Time 3D Underwater Imaging

The Omniscan 3D by Cerulean Sonar is a compact, high‑resolution imaging sonar that bridges the gap between traditional side‑scan sonar and multibeam echo sounders. Operating at 450 kHz with a 16‑channel receive array, it generates dense 3D point clouds in real time, delivering true spatial understanding underwater—even in zero visibility.

Designed for inspection, mapping, and navigation, the Omniscan 3D 450 SS enables operators and autonomous platforms to clearly understand complex subsea environments. Built on Cerulean’s proven Omniscan technology, it combines advanced imaging performance with intuitive operation at an accessible price point.

Real‑Time 3D Perception

Unlike traditional mechanically scanned sonars, the Omniscan 3D uses vehicle motion and real‑time processing via Cerulean’s SonarView software. As the vehicle moves, SonarView continuously builds a detailed 3D representation of the environment, allowing operators to instantly focus on structures, terrain, and objects of interest.

See Structure. Understand Space.

The Omniscan 3D doesn’t just show echoes—it reveals structure. Using motion‑based reconstruction and a multi‑element receive array, it visualizes underwater scenes in true 3D, improving interpretation, measurement, and situational awareness.

Key features

• Real‑time 3D point‑cloud imaging

• Detailed volumetric imaging in low or zero visibility

• Improved object detection and spatial awareness

• Ideal for inspection, mapping, and navigation workflows

Built for Integration

The modular architecture separates transmit, receive, and processing components, making the Omniscan 3D 450 SS easy to integrate into a wide range of ROV and AUV platforms. An Ethernet‑based interface and seamless integration with SonarView support real‑time visualization, recording, and post‑mission analysis.

Available with native support for BlueOS‑based vehicles, or for advanced integrators deploying the system on a compatible Linux host.

Applications

• Structural inspection and infrastructure assessment

• Subsea mapping and terrain modelling

• Object detection and identification

• Navigation and spatial awareness

• Survey and 3D reconstruction