DVL 500

Nortek DVL 500 is a 500 kHz Doppler velocity log for deep-water navigation and survey platforms. The Generation 3, 6,000-metre configuration uses a four-beam convex Janus transducer to measure seabed-relative velocity at altitudes from 0.1 to 200 metres. Its titanium and polymer housing weighs seven kilograms in air. Export-controlled and licence-free versions have different accuracy specifications.

Water tracking provides a velocity backup when the bottom leaves range, while simultaneous current profiling reaches up to 70 metres under suitable measurement conditions. Serial or Ethernet interfaces carry the measurements to inertial-navigation and vehicle-control systems. At one-hertz sampling, the stated average power consumption is three watts. The instrument is offered for integration into long-endurance AUVs, large ROVs and survey platforms, with configurable pressure sensors, cabling and data storage.