多波束反向散射强度数据处理研究

在探讨多波束测深系统反向散射强度与海底底质类型的关系基础上,研究影响反向散射强度的各种因素,主要分析了海底地形起伏、中央波束区反射信号对反向散射强度的影响,并给出了消除这些影响的方法;将处理后的“纯”反向散射强度数据镶嵌生成海底声像图,为海底底质类型划分以及地貌解译提供了基础数据和辅助判读依据.     

Shallow water sonar conditions and radar backscatter

Sonar and radar signals are scattered by small-scale roughness elements of the sea surface. The characteristics of the roughness depend on wind, sea state, and other parameters. The dynamic behavior of this roughness is related to radar backscatter. This provides a basis for oceanographic radar remote sensing and links radar backscatter to sea surface sonar conditions. Radar, sonar, and roughness experiments have been conducted at the research platform NORDSEE. The results are combined and provide a method to estimate shallow water sonar conditions from the radar backscatter cross section     

Side-looking sonar backscatter response at dual frequencies

Dual-frequency side-looking sonars have the potential to be used as remote sensing tools to characterize subaqueous terrains. In one case study of the carbonate-ooze-coated Blake Plateau off-shore of Georgia, U.S.A., the difference in acoustic attenuation for 50 and 20 mm wavelengths (30 and 72 kHz frequency) permits the discrimination of sub-bottom scatterers from seabed surface textural features to reveal patchy regions where a buried hard ground had been pock-marked by karst-like depressions. In a second study of the Upper Hudson River in New York, U.S.A., related to environmental contaminates, the backscatter response at 15 and 3 mm acoustic wavelengths (100 and 500 kHz frequency) serves as a useful proxy for sediment grain size with coarser detritus distinguished from finer sediments. Sand and gravel regions inferred from the backscatter were confirmed by ground truth sampling.     

An improved processing sequence for uncorrelated Chirp sonar data

Chirp sonar systems can be used to obtain high resolution seismic reflection images of the sub-seafloor during marine surveys. The exact knowledge of the Chirp signature allows the use of deterministic algorithms to process the data, similarly to that applied to Vibroseis data on land. Here, it is described an innovative processing sequence to be applied to uncorrelated Chirp data, which can improve vertical and lateral resolution compared to conventional methods. It includes application of a Wiener filter to transform a frequency-modulated sweep into a minimum-phase pulse sequence. In this way, the data become causal and can undergo predictive deconvolution to reduce ringing and enhance vertical resolution. Afterwards, FX-deconvolution and Stolt migration can be applied to obtain an improved imaging of the subsurface. The result of this procedure is a seismic reflection image with higher resolution than traditional ones, which are normally represented using the envelope function of the signal. This technique can be particularly useful for engineering-geotechnical surveys and archaeological investigations that require a fine detail imaging of the uppermost meters of the sub-seafloor.     

Multibeam bathymetric sonar: Sea beam and hydro chart

Abstract

In May, 1977, the first non‐military version of a multi‐beam, wide swath, deep ocean, bathymetric sonar was placed in service. Called SEA BEAM, this equipment provides high resolution bathymetric data across a swath width approximately equal to 78% of the depth. Angu ar resolution is 2.7° with a maximum operating depth of 11,000 m. Real time displays include a CRT presentation of the thwartship profile and a continuous strip chart of bottom contours. All sounding data are recorded on digital magnetic tape for final processing and merging with corrected navigation data. More recently, a companion system called HYDRO CHART has gone into operation for continental shelf surveys.     

混浊水域多波束反向散射强度传播损失改正

为了改善现有的反向散射强度传播损失改正方法在混浊水域适应性较弱的问题,提出了混浊水域声传播损失计算模型。首先利用不同深度的海洋环境参数构建声波吸收系数剖面,然后基于声速,沿波束传播路径,对每个波束分层计算传播损失。实验分析表明,本方法传播损失改正效果最佳,其Spearman等级相关系数绝对值仅为0.04,远小于传统模型和TVG改正,大大减弱了混浊水域情况下多波束回波强度与传播距离的相关性,有效改善了多波束声呐图像的质量。     

Sidescan sonar image processing techniques

A four-step processing sequence is described to produce image mosaics from the various segments of a sidescanned acoustic imaging survey of a given seafloor area. Starting with data consisting for each ping of acoustic backscatter levels versus horizontal range across-track, median prefiltering is used first to reduce the influence of outliers on subsequent linear processes. Artifacts that are clearly unrelated to the backscattering properties of the seafloor are then isolated on a ping by ping basis through a spectral analysis that relies on a decomposition using Chebyshev polynomials to filter the low spatial frequency components of the image. Contrast enhancement is then achieved through an original implementation of the classical gray level histogram equalization technique by balancing local versus global histogram contributions. Pixels are mapped on a geographic grid taking due account of the geometry of the measurement and of the spacing between pings to minimize along-track smearing of features. Examples of results obtained with these processing techniques are given for SeaMARC II data recorded during a complete survey of Fieberling Guyot (32°.5 N, 128° W)     

基于LOG算子的侧扫声呐海底线检测

针对侧扫声呐数据采集的特点,提出了一种基于图像边缘检测技术中LOG算子的海底线检测新方法,用于准确检测海底线从而对侧扫声呐资料进行斜距改正。通过实验数据处理,表明该方法较传统方法具有明显的优势。     

Recommendations for improved and coherent acquisition and processing of backscatter data from seafloor-mapping sonars

Multibeam echosounders are becoming widespread for the purposes of seafloor bathymetry mapping, but the acquisition and the use of seafloor backscatter measurements, acquired simultaneously with the bathymetric data, are still insufficiently understood, controlled and standardized. This presents an obstacle to well-accepted, standardized analysis and application by end users. The Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping group (Geohab.org) has long recognized the need for better coherence and common agreement on acquisition, processing and interpretation of seafloor backscatter data, and established the Backscatter Working Group (BSWG) in May 2013. This paper presents an overview of this initiative, the mandate, structure and program of the working group, and a synopsis of the BSWG Guidelines and Recommendations to date. The paper includes (1) an overview of the current status in sensors and techniques available in seafloor backscatter data from multibeam sonars; (2) the presentation of the BSWG structure and results; (3) recommendations to operators, end-users, sonar manufacturers, and software developers using sonar backscatter for seafloor-mapping applications, for best practice methods and approaches for data acquisition and processing; and (4) a discussion on the development needs for future systems and data processing. We propose for the first time a nomenclature of backscatter processing levels that affords a means to accurately and efficiently describe the data processing status, and to facilitate comparisons of final products from various origins.     

Fifth generation digital sonar signal processing

This paper discusses the evolutionary development, which has taken place over the last decade, in digital sonar systems architecture with the application of first, second, and third generation computers as system controllers for sonar systems. It is the opinion of the authors that, with the arrival of microprocessors, the system controller tasks in real time digital sonars will diminish. We present, as the "fourth generation," the present systems which still have a relatively large CPU, assisted by an array of microprocessors under their control for several subtasks which can be handled, more efficiently, locally in the systems. The "fifth generation" concept is postulated as a further development of this concept. A distributed processing scheme is presented in which the processing elements are actually highly functionally distributed themselves at the lowest level of architecture; consequently, the user views them as uniprocessors within the tightly coupled network. This approach should result in relatively high throughput utilizing a fairly small repertoire of modular hardware components and requiring minimal software effort by implementing, via firmware, very high level macros. This concept allows adaptive system architecture for the various advanced sonar data processing requirements for multielement linear, spatial, or blanket type array systems postulated for the future.     

Neural adaptive sensory processing for undersea sonar

Neural adaptive beamformers (NABFs) utilize neural paradigms to accomplish desired adaptations that are associated with sensory-field-responsive partitioning and selection processes. Kohonen-type organization and Hopfield-type optimization have been formulated as NABF mechanisms and have been applied to test data. Formulations and results are included. NABFs are also used in conjunction with a learning network for interpretation of weight sets as population codings of direction. An example is included. Desirable qualities of human auditory response are being interpreted in the context of neural adaptive beamforming for the purpose of creating an integrated processing structure that incorporates NABFs, a cochlear model, and an associative memory as part of a total spatiotemporal processing scheme for selective attention     

Alternate schemes in synthetic aperture sonar processing

Suboptimal processing schemes, the application of which is not widespread in synthetic aperture sonar processing, are described with reference to seafloor imaging. It is shown that their application can result in a significant increase of the azimuth resolution of the sonar system with respect to the resolution due to its physical beamwidth, without imposing unreasonable constraints on the sonar platform trajectory.     

Signal processing strategies for a bathymetric sidescan sonar

A dominant source of errors in swath bathymetry is acoustic interference. In 1989 the author published an analysis of these errors and predicted depth accuracies for a system which reduced their effect by averaging. This present paper shows how a considerable improvement in performance may be obtained by a variety of signal processing strategies that include the use of several widely spaced receivers and the elimination of the most unsatisfactory measurements before averaging. Simulations show how impressive sea bed profiles can be produced with a single ping, even at low signal-to-interference ratios     

Spatial processing of signals received by platform mounted sonar

Acoustic signals received by platform mounted sonar arrays can be spatially processed to enhance the detection of targets in the presence of both ambient and platform generated (self) noise. Ambient noise in the ocean, such as that due to distant shipping or biological choruses, are known to be spatially correlated. The platform generated noise will be of near-field origin and may not be received by all elements in the array. In this paper we investigate the performance of the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer and the recently introduced Fourier integral method (FIM) and compare their performances with the conventional beamformer. Real passive sonar data, obtained from a platform mounted sparse linear array of hydrophones, is used to study the performance of the beamformers in a typical sonar environment. It is shown that in the absence of self noise, when the array is accurately calibrated the MVDR beamformer will perform very well, but when sensor gain or phase errors are present the performance of the MVDR beamformer is degraded. Further, the MVDR beamformer is unable to reject the self noise which is not "seen" by the entire array. FIM however seems to perform well and a modified version of FIM, which we call weighted FIM (WFIM), is shown to perform better and is at worst comparable to a well calibrated MVDR beamformer     

A programmable microcomputer-based sonar echo processor for real-time processing

A programmable microcomputer-based sonar echo processor has been developed and field tested to process echo data in real time. The device was designed for use in fisheries acoustics and to analyze echoes from the sea floor. The instrument simultaneously performs the functions "echo integration" and "echo peak detection' on the sonar signal. The "echo integration" circuitry measures the relative acoustic energy of the echo while the "echo peak detection' electronics measure the probability density function (PDF) of the peak of the echo envelope. Each process is gated so the echoes may be processed in many short time intervals. In fisheries applications, estimates can be made of fish density (fish per unit volume), average backscattering cross section, and a combination of fish size and behavior. When using the device to analyze bottom echoes, it is possible to measure both the returned energy from the bottom sediment interfaces and the microrelief characteristics. The durability, flexibility, computer link, and floppy-disk data-storage features of the system are discussed. Data are presented of the processed echoes from biological organisms and the ocean bottom from a recent research cruise on the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Hatteras, NC. The biological results illustrated the organisms to be clearly divided into two separate spatial distributions-an observation not obvious from a standard echogram which was simultaneously used. The results from the bottom showed both 1) the difference in sub-bottom structure between two locations and 2) changes in microrelief of the water-bottom interface between another pair of locations.     

海底三维声学图像实时处理系统设计

结合多核CPU硬件PC平台,设计了一种海底三维声学图像实时处理系统,主要包括声学前端信号处理子系统、数据传输控制子系统和PC客户端图像处理系统三个部分。声学前端信号处理子系统统根据接收到的多路声学换能器信号,通过两级FPGA信号处理,采集多通道水声信号,进行实时电子聚焦波束形成。为了解决海量声学数据快速传输问题,数据传输控制子系统未采用传统用户空间TCP/IP传输机制,而是直接通过嵌入式PowerPC处理器在Linux内核态采用DMA通道进行声学数据转发,减少系统调用和数据拷贝开销,有效提高网络传输效率。针对海量声学数据实时处理需求,PC客户端图像处理系统通过对复杂、耗时的单帧重建和数据拼接算法模块根据声学数据点的角度范围进行等分分割,对每个子范围声纳数据采用多线程并行处理,均衡多个CPU核之间负载,实现高性能三维声学图像实时处理。通过室内水池和湖试实验,结果表明该系统能够实时高效地进行三维声学图像采集、传输与处理。     

Processing and analysis of Simrad multibeam sonar data

The common approach to analysing data collected with multibeam and sidescan sonars is to visually interpret charts of contoured bathymetry and mosaics of seabed images. However, some of the information content is lost by processing the data into charts because this involves some averaging; the analysis might uncover more information if done on the data at an earlier stage in the processing. Motivated by this potential, I have created a software system which can be used to analyse data collected with Simrad EM1000 (shallow water) and EM12 (deep water) multibeam sonars, as well as to generate bathymetry contour charts and backscatter mosaics. The system includes data preprocessing, such as navigation filtering, depth filtering (removal of outlying values), and amplitude mapping using the multibeam bathymetry to correctly position image pixels across the swath. The data attributes that can be analysed include the orientation and slope of the seafloor, and the mean signal strength for each sounding. To determine bathymetry attributes such as slope, the soundings across a number of beams and across a series of pings are grouped and a least-squares plane fitted to them. Bathymetric curvature is obtained by detrending the grouped data using the least-squares plane and fitting a paraboloid to the residuals. The magnitudes and signs of the paraboloid's coefficients reveal depressions and hills and their orientations. Furthermore, the seafloor geology can be classified using a simple combination of these attributes. For example, flat-lying sediments can be classified where the backscatter, slope and curvature fall below specified values.     

Real time time-frequency active sonar processing: a SIMD approach

A paradigm for massively parallel processing of matched filters, replica correlators, ambiguity functions, and time-frequency distributions is presented, using a SIMD (single instruction stream, multiple data stream) programming methodology. It is shown that active sonar detection algorithms, as implemented by frequency domain processing, can be a natural match to a SIMD methodology, meeting the extensive computational needs of enhanced active sonar systems. The decomposition process is presented, and examples are given of the output of the computer program CMASP (Connection Machine Ambiguity Surface Processor). CMASP can provide real-time simultaneous multiple-beam, Doppler, and waveform replica correlations. Synthetic data are processed, and the corresponding CMASP outputs are displayed as three-dimensional ambiguity surfaces on networked graphic workstations. Because of efficient problem decomposition, other time-frequency processing can be exploited. Specifically, real-time instantaneous-like time-frequency distributions have been realized in which the data set is presented and processed as time-varying spectral representations