FURUNO, DS-60 DOPPLER SONAR

The DS-60 uses the Doppler effect:

Emits ultrasonic signals (320 kHz) into water
Receives reflected signals from seabed or water particles
Measures frequency shift to calculate:
- Ship speed relative to ground (SOG)
- Ship speed relative to water (STW)
- Transverse movement (sideways motion)

It uses a 3-beam system, which:

Compensates for ship pitch and roll
Provides accurate measurements in multiple directions

The Furuno DS-60 is a 3-axis Doppler Sonar / Speed Log system designed for large vessels (typically ≥50,000 GT) to provide real-time motion and speed data during navigation, especially for berthing and docking operations.

Technical Specification

📡 General

Type: 3-axis Doppler Sonar / Speed Log
Principle: Doppler ultrasonic measurement
Transmit frequency: 320 kHz
Number of beams: 3 beams (for motion compensation)
Application: Large vessels (≥50,000 GT), berthing & maneuvering

🚢 Performance

Speed range

Fore–aft (longitudinal):
-10.00 to +40.00 knots
Port–starboard (transverse):
-9.99 to +9.99 knots

Accuracy

Ground tracking:
±1% or ±0.1 knot
Water tracking:
±1% or ±0.1 knot
Low-speed transverse:
±2% or 0.01–0.04 m/s

Distance measurement

Distance log:
0 to 999,999.99 nautical miles

Current measurement

Current speed: 0.00 to 9.99 knots
Current direction: 0° to 360°

🌊 Measurement depth

Ground tracking (SOG):
1 to 200 m below hull
Water tracking (STW):
- Measurement layer: 0.5 to 25 m
- Requires seabed depth ≥ 40 m
Minimum operating condition:
- Ground tracking ≥ 3 m depth