Multiple view sidescan sonar

Abstract

The classification of objects on the seafloor by means of a sonar can be

accomplished by viewing the object from different positions. With a conventional sidescan sonar one pass has to be made for every view. The time needed for classification can be redud by using a sidescan sonar with multiple beams pointing in different directions. This allows multiple views of the object to be acquired in a single pass. The feasibility of the multiple-view concept has been investigated using an experimental sonar with two beams. Results of initial experiments are presented