Definition
A transducer emits a pulse, commonly in the 50 to 200 kHz band for small craft, and the receiver times the return echo. Depth equals half the two-way travel time multiplied by the speed of sound, taken as about 1500 metres per second in seawater, so a 0.1 second round trip indicates roughly 75 metres. Higher frequencies give better resolution in shallow water, lower frequencies penetrate deeper and cope better with aeration and soft mud.
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