Side scan and motor noise

[Rtech]

Question: Would an electric motor cause corrupt data from side scan sonar. My thoughts are to build a remote unit that can be sent into icy rivers and ponds to search for drowning victims. I want to be able to pilot the unit by cable and perhaps underwater video. I am new to Side scan and would like some pointers if possible.

[Largesarge]

I don't think there would be a problem as long as the power supply for the sonar was well filtered and the drive motor was well shielded.


I saw a unit on a TV program like youre thinking of. It was an autonamous unit that was programed for a specific pattern using GPS and then return to mama ship.

[BrianR]

It's unlikely that with proper electrical wiring/shielding you'll have EM issues.

However cavitation/acoustical noise from the prop/wash could potentially "snow" over your data, depending on how everything's mounted.