Design and analysis of side-looking sonar experiments

Abstract

This research concerns the design and analysis of different Side-Looking Sonar experiments in order to satisfy different operational requirements. The different designs and analysis have been done via computer simulation. Side-Looking Sonar (also known as side-scan sonar) is known for very high quality, high resolution, ocean bottom imaging. Hence, it is used for bathymetric surveys, commonly called seafloor mapping. It is able to rapidly survey large ocean areas for bottom and suspended sea-mines or other kinds of threats. Another operational aspect of these systems is that they allow autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to conduct operations, mostly in shallow water and near land. Thus Side-Looking Sonar can be a very useful device in littoral warfare operations. This research has defined the basic parameters that rule the operation of a Side-Looking Sonar and, furthermore, analyzed various aspects that affect the performance of these parameters. Special focus was given to the various operational requirements and conditions that a designer or a user may encounter in realistic situations. Toward that end, many numerical examples are presented. Moreover, the research has tried to indicate the various problems that may arise when a Side-Looking Sonar operates in its near-field region and suggests certain solutions. The active sonar equation and its factors were explained and were evaluated for a realistic example of mine detection as well.