1160 Fatboy Beacon

1160 Fatboy Beacon

Applied Acoustics 1160 Fatboy Beacon is an acoustic transponder family for deep-water tracking and acoustically challenging survey operations. Used with a compatible USBL system, the beacon allows a surface vessel to track the position of the submerged target. It is selected as part of the complete positioning chain, including the vessel transceiver, navigation inputs and the mechanical installation on the target.

Model selection

Fatboy beacons address noisy environments and applications requiring longer operating ranges. The family supports configurable transmit power and receive gain, with Sigma acoustic protocols for compatible Pyxis and Nexus systems. Acoustic range still depends on the installation and water conditions; the depth rating is a pressure-survival specification.

Installation and positioning

Place the acoustic head where the vehicle or mounting frame will not block the signal path. Confirm the selected beacon protocol, channel and interrogation settings against the surface system before mobilisation. Measured offsets, suitable sound-speed information and the vessel heading reference help relate acoustic observations to the project coordinates. For mobile equipment, account for the beacon weight in water when assessing vehicle balance and mounting loads.

Battery planning and deployment

Listening life and active operating duration describe different conditions. Actual endurance depends on interrogation interval, transmit power, battery condition and the selected variant. Check the housing, seals, connectors and battery status before each deployment, then confirm acoustic communication with the intended surface equipment. For longer tasks, plan recovery and charging around the operating cycle rather than relying on the listening-life figure alone. The values below summarise the series; confirm the exact ordered configuration when specifying a survey package.

Technical specifications

Technical product document (PDF)

Applied Acoustics product range