From: $360.00

The Ping sonar is a single-beam echosounder that measures distances up to 50 meters (164 feet) underwater. A 30 degree beam width, 300 meter (984 foot) depth rating, and an open-source software interface make it a powerful tool for marine robotics. We recommend connecting with the BLUART USB to Serial and RS485 Adapter!

For installation in a BlueROV2 or other connection using USB, a BLUART USB to Serial and RS485 Adapter and a micro-USB cable are required.

Quantity 1 - 2 3 - 7 8 - 14 15 - 24 25+
Price $360.00 $342.00 $324.00 $306.00 $288.00
SKU: PING-SONAR-R3-RP
HS Code: 9015.80.8080

Product Description

The Ping sonar is a multipurpose single-beam echosounder. It can be used as an altimeter for ROVs and AUVs, for bathymetry work aboard a USV, as an obstacle avoidance sonar, and other underwater distance measurement applications. Ping combines a compact form factor and 300 meter depth rating with an open source user interface and Arduino, C++, and Python development libraries to create a powerful new tool for marine robotics!

An echosounder, like the Ping, is one of the simplest forms of underwater sonar. It operates by using a piezoelectric transducer to send an ultrasonic acoustic pulse into the water and then listens back for echoes to return. With that information it’s able to determine the distance to the strongest echo, which is usually the ocean floor or a large object. It can also provide the full echo response (echo strength versus time) which can be plotted like the display of a fishfinder sonar.

The Ping uses a 115 kHz transducer frequency, away from those used on most boat echosounders to avoid interference. It has a measurement range of 50 meters (164 feet) and a measurement beamwidth of 30 degrees, perfect for applications on a rocking boat or for obstacle avoidance. An advanced bottom-tracking algorithm runs on the device to determine the distance to the seafloor, even in complicated situations with multiple echoes.

Use the Ping-Viewer interface to view and record Ping data.

The Ping is housed in a rugged hard-anodized aluminum enclosure with an encapsulated transducer and a 1 meter (3.3 feet) cable with a pre-installed WetLink Penetrator. It has four threaded mounting holes on the back and comes with a mounting bracket and hardware to make it easy to mount on the BlueROV2. The included header pin to JST-GH adapter makes it easy to plug into the USB to Serial and RS485 Adapter.

The Ping can be connected to a microcontroller device, such as an Arduino, or to a computer through a BLUART USB to Serial adapter.

Once connected, we recommend getting started with Ping-Viewer, an open-source application developed specifically for Ping devices. Ping-Viewer runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux and makes it easy to view the output, record data, and change settings on the Ping. The Ping sonar can be connected to Ping-Viewer directly or over a network connection routed through the BlueROV2‘s Companion web interface, so that you can use the Ping on the ROV without using any additional wires in the tether.

For those who wish to integrate the Ping into other systems, it communicates with a binary message format called the Ping-Protocol. We’ve made C++, Arduino and Python libraries for the Ping-Protocol to get you up and running almost immediately.

Check out the Technical Details and Learn tabs above for more information!

Product Description

The Ping sonar is a multipurpose single-beam echosounder. It can be used as an altimeter for ROVs and AUVs, for bathymetry work aboard a USV, as an obstacle avoidance sonar, and other underwater distance measurement applications. Ping combines a compact form factor and 300 meter depth rating with an open source user interface and Arduino, C++, and Python development libraries to create a powerful new tool for marine robotics!

An echosounder, like the Ping, is one of the simplest forms of underwater sonar. It operates by using a piezoelectric transducer to send an ultrasonic acoustic pulse into the water and then listens back for echoes to return. With that information it’s able to determine the distance to the strongest echo, which is usually the ocean floor or a large object. It can also provide the full echo response (echo strength versus time) which can be plotted like the display of a fishfinder sonar.

The Ping uses a 115 kHz transducer frequency, away from those used on most boat echosounders to avoid interference. It has a measurement range of 50 meters (164 feet) and a measurement beamwidth of 30 degrees, perfect for applications on a rocking boat or for obstacle avoidance. An advanced bottom-tracking algorithm runs on the device to determine the distance to the seafloor, even in complicated situations with multiple echoes.

Use the Ping-Viewer interface to view and record Ping data.

The Ping is housed in a rugged hard-anodized aluminum enclosure with an encapsulated transducer and a 1 meter (3.3 feet) cable with a pre-installed WetLink Penetrator. It has four threaded mounting holes on the back and comes with a mounting bracket and hardware to make it easy to mount on the BlueROV2. The included header pin to JST-GH adapter makes it easy to plug into the USB to Serial and RS485 Adapter.

The Ping can be connected to a microcontroller device, such as an Arduino, or to a computer through a BLUART USB to Serial adapter.

Once connected, we recommend getting started with Ping-Viewer, an open-source application developed specifically for Ping devices. Ping-Viewer runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux and makes it easy to view the output, record data, and change settings on the Ping. The Ping sonar can be connected to Ping-Viewer directly or over a network connection routed through the BlueROV2‘s Companion web interface, so that you can use the Ping on the ROV without using any additional wires in the tether.

For those who wish to integrate the Ping into other systems, it communicates with a binary message format called the Ping-Protocol. We’ve made C++, Arduino and Python libraries for the Ping-Protocol to get you up and running almost immediately.

Check out the Technical Details and Learn tabs above for more information!

  • 1 x Ping sonar with pre-installed cable and M10 WetLink Penetrator
  • 1 x Ping mounting bracket
  • 1 x Header pin to JST GH cable adapter
  • 4 x M3x5 button head cap screws
  • 2 x M5x16 button head cap screws

Specifications

ParameterValue
Electrical
Maximum Supply Voltage5.5 volts
Minimum Supply Voltage4.5 volts
TTL Voltage Level3.3 - 5 volts
Typical Current Draw100 milliamps
Communication
Signal ProtocolTTL Serial (UART)
Available Firmware Baud Rates115200 bps (default), 9600 bps
Message ProtocolPing Protocol
Message Subsetscommon, ping1d
Code Library Implementations ArduPilot (limited), Python, C++, Arduino
Cable
Cable UsedCAB-PUR-4-24AWG
Cable Length830 mm32.5 in
Maximum Cable LengthTBDTBD
Conductor Gauge24 AWG
WiresBlackGround
RedVin
WhiteDevice Tx
GreenDevice Rx
Installed Penetrators
Device SideWLP-M06-4.5MM-LC
Cable EndWLP-M10-4.5MM-LC
Acoustics
Frequency 115 kHz
Beamwidth30 degrees
Minimum Range0.5 m1.6 ft
Typical Usable Range¹50 m164 ft
Absolute Maximum Range²70 m230 ft
Range Resolution0.5% of range
Range Resolution at 50m25 cm9.85 in
Range Resolution at 2m1 cm0.39 in
Physical
Pressure Rating300 m984 ft
Temperature Range0-30°C32-86°F
Weight in Air (w/ cable)133 g4.69 oz
Weight in Water (w/ cable)55 g1.94 oz
Mounting Bracket Screw SizeM5x0.4 mm
Internals
Air Chamber X-RingX-ring Buna-N-127 -70A
¹ Usable range depends on operating conditions (e.g. performance may suffer over variable density changes from tall vegetation, groups of fish, geysers, etc).
² Absolute maximum range is limited by the firmware.

2D Drawings

Ping Sonar

Ping Sonar Drawing

Ping Mount

Ping Mount Drawing

3D Models

PING-SONAR-R3-PUBLIC (.zip)

PING-M-MOUNT-R2-PUBLIC (.zip)

Revision History

4 October 2021

23 July 2021

  • Typical usable range value extended from 30m to 50m based on follow-on usage and variability testing

29 January 2019

  • R2 - Initial Release

Quick Start

1. Download Ping-Viewer for your operating system.

2. Plug the Header Pin to JST-GH Cable Adapter into the male header pins coming from the Ping so that the same color wires match up when plugged in (red-red, black-black, white-white, green-green).

3. Plug the 6-position JST-GH plug into the serial JST-GH receptacle on the BLUART serial adapter.

4. Plug the BLUART into the computer using a Micro-USB to USB-A Cable.

5. Start Ping-Viewer, it should automatically detect the connected Ping device and display it in the device manager menu.

6. Select the Ping from the device manager menu and the waterfall display should automatically start.


If there are issues with establishing a connection, please check our Ping Viewer troubleshooting steps.

Important Notes

If used on a manned vessel, the Ping should not be used as the primary means of preventing grounding or collision. Supplement depth data readings with information from applicable paper charts and visual indicators. Always operate the vessel at safe speeds if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects.

Guides

Ping-Viewer Wiki/Guide

Ping Echosounder Sonar User Manual
Learn about the advanced functionality of the Ping Sonar!
Ping Installation Guide for the BlueROV2
This guide will show you how to install a Ping sonar on your BlueROV2 to view your altitude above the seafloor!
Using the Ping Sonar with an Arduino
Learn how to connect a Ping to an Arduino and get distance readings in the Serial Monitor.

Example Code

Arduino

Python

Relevant Forum Categories

Blue Robotics Forums - Ping Sonar Devices

Featured Forum Posts