Predictika · Scientific echo sounders

An AI sales agent's EK80 echo sounder system, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a wideband echo sounder system for a research vessel, an ROV or a mooring: a WBT Mini, WBT Tube or WBAT transceiver with up to two types of ES-series transducer, the operating mode, supply voltage, deployment depth, the frequency band, pulse length, ping interval and transmit power for each transducer, and the channel count it states. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures Kongsberg Discovery publishes in its data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: WBT Mini, WBT Tube and WBAT transceivers with eight ES-series transducer types: operating mode, supply, depth, channels, split-beam count, frequency band, pulse, duty cycle and power. See everything this validator covers

This validator models one transceiver with up to two transducer types, based on the figures in the public Kongsberg Discovery data sheets, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Transceiver and mode — the WBT Mini (EK80 or autonomous version), the WBT Tube (for a 12 to 16 volt or a 20 to 50 volt supply) and the WBAT (1500 or 6000 meter version). The EK80 versions run under the EK80 software on a processing unit that holds a licence, and only the autonomous WBT Mini and the WBAT run a pre-programmed mission from the EK Mission Planner. The supply voltage must be in the transceiver's range, and the depth within its rating where the data sheet gives one.
  • Transducers — ES38-18DK, ES70-18CD, ES120-7CD, ES120-18CDK, ES200-7CD, ES200-7CDK, ES333-7CD and ES333-7CDK, split-beam or single-beam where the data sheet lists both. Each has its own frequency band, maximum pulse length, maximum duty cycle, maximum transmit power and depth rating, and each transmission must stay inside them.
  • Channels and split-beam count — the transducer channels the quote needs against the channels the transceiver has (8 on the WBT Mini and the WBAT, 16 on the WBT Tube), and the split-beam transducers against the number it supports (2 and 4). Channels above the number the transceiver serves without its multiplexer go to a person, who confirms the survey design. The channel count the quote states must equal the computed one.
  • Transmission — the sweep must start at or below its stop frequency, a down-sweep is not offered, and the pulse must lie between the transceiver's minimum and maximum (64 or 128 microseconds up to 2,048).

Any system that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: prices (Kongsberg does not publish list prices, so this page shows no price build-up), the WBT shipboard unit and the ES70-7CD, whose published figures conflict between documents, older transducer models, the EA640 and EM families, cables, processing units and software options, and real survey performance.

The AI sales agentBuilds the system from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 3 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Which transducer goes with which transceiver, and each transducer's own limitsOnly with workarounds
Every transducer has its own band, pulse, duty cycle, power and depth figures, and the transceiver adds more. A rules-based CPQ needs a compatibility table or one rule per transducer, and every data sheet revision means editing them.		The transducer rows and the transceiver rows arrive with the request and are matched on every call.
Channels and split-beam counts across two transducer typesOnly with care
The channels are the quantity times the sectors of each type, summed over the slots, then compared with what the transceiver offers with and without its multiplexer.		The totals and both comparisons are computed on every call.
Duty cycle from pulse length and ping intervalOnly with care
Duty cycle is derived from two entered values and compared with a per-transducer limit.		Pulse, ping interval and the limit are compared on every call.
Channel count the quote statesOnly with care
The stated number is derived from the chosen transducers, so a rule has to recompute it and compare.		The stated channel count is a field in the request, compared with the computed one on every call.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the quote is saved or a step is completed, so a person often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1This transceiver cannot run in the selected mode; the EK80 version of the WBT Mini and the WBT Tube run only under the EK80 software, and only the autonomous WBT Mini and the WBAT run a pre-programmed mission.
2An autonomous transceiver is pre-programmed with a mission in the EK Mission Planner; no mission is planned on the quote.
3EK80 mode needs a processing unit that runs the EK80 software and holds an EK80 licence; none is on the quote.
4The supply is 11 volts DC; this transceiver needs 12 to 16 volts DC.
5The supply is 17 volts DC; this transceiver needs 12 to 16 volts DC.
6The supply is 20 volts DC; this transceiver needs 12 to 16 volts DC.
7The supply is 51 volts DC; this transceiver needs 20 to 50 volts DC.
8The supply is 15 volts DC; this transceiver needs 20 to 50 volts DC.
9The quote deploys at 4001 meters; the transceiver is rated to 4000 meters.
10The quote deploys at 1501 meters; the transceiver is rated to 1500 meters.
11The quote deploys at 5000 meters; the transducer in slot 1 is rated to 1500 meters.
12The quote deploys at 1501 meters; the transducer in slot 1 is rated to 1500 meters.
13No transducer is selected in slot 1; the system needs at least one.
14Slot 1 has a transducer with a quantity of 0; at least 1 is needed.
156 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
168 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
17The transducers need 9 transducer channels; the transceiver has 8 including its multiplexer.
18The quote has 3 split-beam transducers; the transceiver supports 2.
199 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
205 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
2116 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 8 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
22The quote has 5 split-beam transducers; the transceiver supports 4.
2315 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 8 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
24The transducers need 17 transducer channels; the transceiver has 16 including its multiplexer.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Supply and depth on a WBT Tube: Two 200 kHz split-beam transducers on a WBT Tube for an ROV

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBT Tube for a 12 to 16 volt supply in EK80 mode, deployed at 3,500 meters on a 24 volt DC supply, with 2 x ES200-7CDK split-beam rated to 1,500 meters at 200 kHz (continuous wave), a 1,024 microsecond pulse every 150 milliseconds at 150 watts. The EK80 licence is on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 6 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Supply voltage outside the transceiver range. The supply is 24 volts DC; this transceiver needs 12 to 16 volts DC.
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  • Slot 1 transducer rated for less depth. The quote deploys at 3500 meters; the transducer in slot 1 is rated to 1500 meters.
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2. Supply and depth on a WBT Tube: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBT Tube for a 20 to 50 volt supply in EK80 mode, deployed at 3,500 meters on a 24 volt DC supply, with 2 x ES200-7CDK split-beam rated to 6,000 meters at 200 kHz (continuous wave), a 1,024 microsecond pulse every 150 milliseconds at 150 watts. The EK80 licence is on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 6 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 6 transducer channel(s) in use of 16 on this transceiver, and 2 split-beam transducer(s) of 4 supported.
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3. Depth, mode and licence on a WBAT: A WBAT mooring at 2,500 meters

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBAT rated to 1,500 meters in EK80 mode, deployed at 2,500 meters on a 14 volt DC supply, with 1 x ES200-7CDK split-beam rated to 1,500 meters at 200 kHz (continuous wave), a 100 microsecond pulse every 150 milliseconds at 150 watts. The EK80 licence is not on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 3 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Operating mode not available on this transceiver. This transceiver cannot run in the selected mode; the EK80 version of the WBT Mini and the WBT Tube run only under the EK80 software, and only the autonomous WBT Mini and the WBAT run a pre-programmed mission.
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  • EK80 software licence missing. EK80 mode needs a processing unit that runs the EK80 software and holds an EK80 licence; none is on the quote.
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  • Deeper than the transceiver is rated. The quote deploys at 2500 meters; the transceiver is rated to 1500 meters.
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  • Slot 1 transducer rated for less depth. The quote deploys at 2500 meters; the transducer in slot 1 is rated to 1500 meters.
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  • Slot 1 pulse shorter than the transceiver allows. The pulse in slot 1 is 100 microseconds; this transceiver needs at least 128.
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4. Depth, mode and licence on a WBAT: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBAT rated to 6,000 meters in autonomous mode, deployed at 2,500 meters on a 14 volt DC supply, with 1 x ES200-7CDK split-beam rated to 6,000 meters at 200 kHz (continuous wave), a 128 microsecond pulse every 150 milliseconds at 150 watts. The EK80 licence is not on the quote and a mission is planned. The quote states 3 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 3 transducer channel(s) in use of 8 on this transceiver, and 1 split-beam transducer(s) of 2 supported.
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5. Channels, split-beam count and approvals: Two frequencies on a WBT Mini for a research vessel

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBT Mini (autonomous version) in EK80 mode, deployed at 50 meters on a 14 volt DC supply, with 2 x ES120-18CDK split-beam at 120 kHz (continuous wave), a 1,024 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 200 watts and 2 x ES38-18DK split-beam at 38 kHz (continuous wave), a 4,096 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 300 watts. The EK80 licence is on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 12 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • More transducer channels than the transceiver has. The transducers need 12 transducer channels; the transceiver has 8 including its multiplexer.
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  • More split-beam transducers than the transceiver supports. The quote has 4 split-beam transducers; the transceiver supports 2.
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  • Slot 2 pulse longer than the transceiver allows. The pulse in slot 2 is 4096 microseconds; this transceiver allows at most 2048.
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  • Multiplexed channels share the transceiver. 12 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
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6. Channels, split-beam count and approvals: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBT Mini (autonomous version) in EK80 mode, deployed at 50 meters on a 14 volt DC supply, with 1 x ES120-18CDK split-beam at 120 kHz (continuous wave), a 1,024 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 200 watts and 1 x ES38-18DK split-beam at 38 kHz (continuous wave), a 2,048 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 300 watts. The EK80 licence is on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 6 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Multiplexed channels share the transceiver. 6 transducer channels need the transceiver multiplexer (above 4 channels without it), so those transducers are pinged in turn; a person should confirm the survey design.
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  • System summary. 6 transducer channel(s) in use of 8 on this transceiver, and 2 split-beam transducer(s) of 2 supported.
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7. Channels, split-beam count and approvals: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote a WBT Mini (autonomous version) in EK80 mode, deployed at 50 meters on a 14 volt DC supply, with 1 x ES120-18CDK split-beam at 120 kHz (continuous wave), a 1,024 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 200 watts and 1 x ES38-18DK single-beam at 38 kHz (continuous wave), a 2,048 microsecond pulse every 250 milliseconds at 300 watts. The EK80 licence is on the quote and a mission is not planned. The quote states 4 transducer channels in use. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • System summary. 4 transducer channel(s) in use of 8 on this transceiver, and 1 split-beam transducer(s) of 2 supported.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a wideband echo sounder system for a research vessel, an ROV or a mooring: a WBT Mini, WBT Tube or WBAT transceiver with up to two types of ES-series transducer, the operating mode, and more. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the figures Kongsberg Discovery publishes in its data sheets and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote a WBAT rated to 1,500 meters in EK80 mode, deployed at 2,500 meters on a 14 volt DC supply. The EK80 licence is not on the quote and a mission is not planned. The rest of the request is on screen.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with five findings, all in one answer. This transceiver cannot run in the selected mode; the EK80 version of the WBT Mini and the WBT Tube run only under the EK80 software, and only the autonomous WBT Mini and the WBAT run a pre-programmed mission. EK80 mode needs a processing unit that runs the EK80 software and holds an EK80 licence; none is on the quote. The quote deploys at 2500 meters; the transceiver is rated to 1500 meters. The other two are on screen.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned five blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for which transducer goes with which transceiver, and each transducer's own limits, a rules-based CPQ can do this only with workarounds.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the transceiver to WBAT rated to 6,000 meters, the operating mode to autonomous, the mission planned to yes, the slot 1 transducer to ES200-7CDK split-beam rated to 6,000 meters and the slot 1 pulse to 128 microseconds.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
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  12. All five earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's figure matches the quote.
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  13. Five problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    14.