Lo Bue, Nadia. (2012). ADCP dataset (RDI WorkHorse 600 KHz @ 2 profile / hour) from INGV/NEMO-SN1 seafloor platform during SMO project in Western Ionian Sea site (East Sicily), part of EMSO network.

The transducer generates a pulse of sound at a known frequency that travels through the water and is reflected in all directions by particulate matter (e.g., sediment, biological matter, bubbles). Some portion of the reflected energy travels back at the transducer where the processing electronics measure the change in frequency.

The Doppler shift measured by the transducer reflects the velocity of the water along the axis of the acoustic beam. The ADCP operates using three transducers generating beams with different orientations relative to the water flow then the measured velocity by each ADCP transducer is the projection of the 3D velocity onto the axis of its acoustic beam.