Multibeam Bathymetry from a Mine-Hunting Military Sonar
Abstract
Multibeam bathymetry is obtained from the AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting sonar system. The AN/AQS-20 Volume Search Sonar uses a swath of beams directed downward and perpendicular to the direction of motion to cover more than 180 degrees around the sensor. This coverage creates a coarse-sampling, multibeam sonar that can measure the bottom depth. Raw beamformed data are available from a dedicated experiment to demonstrate the feasibility for using this system to update existing bathymetric databases during mine hunting operations. Data processing uses a weighted-mean-time technique to determine the bottom reflection return from the downward directed beams within +45 degrees of the nadir beam (producing 90 degree swath). Data are compared with a recent multibeam survey covering the same location to determine the accuracy and optimize the data processing. The recent multibeam survey was obtained as a ground truth' using a conventional EM-1002 multibeam system. Comparison of the AN/AQS-20 data with the ground truth demonstrated good agreement for bathymetry and is within the requirements for mine warfare operations. Limitations on the bathymetry accuracy are related to the pressure sensor that measures tow-body depth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA406721
Entities
People
- John T. Sample
- Leonard D. Bibee
- Michael M. Harris
- S. Lingsch
- William E. Avera
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory