page_title: Acoustic Doppler current profiler
section_title: DVL
hierarchical_section_title: Acoustic Doppler current profiler / Applications / DVL
caption_attribution_description: English: An AWAC 1 MHz mounted on a bottom frame along with a battery canister
context_page_description: An acoustic Doppler current profiler is a hydroacoustic current meter similar to a sonar, used to measure water current velocities over a depth range using the Doppler effect of sound waves scattered back from particles within the water column. The term ADCP is a generic term for all acoustic current profilers, although the abbreviation originates from an instrument series introduced by RD Instruments in the 1980s. The working frequencies range of ADCPs range from 38 kHz to several Megahertz. The device used in the air for wind speed profiling using sound is known as SODAR and works with the same underlying principles.
context_section_description: For underwater vehicles, the bottom tracking feature can be used as an important component in the navigation systems.  In this case the velocity of the vehicle is combined with an initial position fix, compass or gyro heading, and data from the acceleration sensor.  The sensor suite is combined (typically by use of a Kalman filter) to estimate the position of the vehicle. This may help to navigate submarines, autonomous, and remotely operated underwater vehicles.
caption: The AWAC (Acoustic Wave and Currents) is a type of ADCP specifically designed for surface wave height and direction.
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