Underwater Sonar: Side-Scan Imaging Sonar & Forward Looking Sonar for Obstacle Avoidance & Navigation

Choosing the Right Sonar Imaging System for AUVs

Feature Article by Wavefront Systems
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Wavefront has released an article explaining when and why Multi Aperture Sonar (MAS) should be used over Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS).


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There do seem to be some reoccurring themes and questions that arise when we discuss our sonar products with potential customers. When it comes to Solstice, our Multi Aperture Sonar (MAS), customers ask us why MAS is preferable to Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and when is it preferable to use one over the other.

This is best answered by the experts, so we asked Dr Rob Crook, our Director of Research, this exact question. Here’s what he had to say:

When and why should we use multi aperture sonar over synthetic aperture sonar?

Solstice is Wavefront’s Multi Aperture Sonar (MAS) product. It behaves like a top performing traditional side-scan sonar but is processed very differently. Solstice uses the multibeam input from 32 elements to dynamically extend the focus along the whole length of the swath. When using multi apertures, the data is additionally improved and the signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced. Additionally, the array in Solstice is designed to suppress multi-path effects. It improves the shadows and highlights that are critical in helping detect and classify objects, generating narrow 0.15°along-track beams and boasting a remarkable 200m swath. For Solstice to work best, it has been designed to be mounted on an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), drawing very little power.

By using an AUV with Solstice, you will see further and at a higher resolution than the more traditional side-scans. However, when we compare MAS to Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), we see it has a shorter range and offers less resolution.

So why change from SAS to MAS?

When building AUVs, compromises need to be made. The budget for Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) is limited. For ships whose primary mission is to survey, where power consumption is not an issue, the use of SAS makes sense. It can plough away and by drawing 100s of Watts, it makes only a small dent in their power budget.

When it comes to low-logistic systems, we cannot say the same. For popular two-person portable systems, there are strict SWaP budgets. Even the SAS systems will demand twice, and maybe even three times, more power than the Solstice.

These SAS systems are heavy and large in size. Attempting to fit them on a 9” diameter is virtually impossible. The size of a SAS means that, even on larger AUVs, their footprint is such that operators must be prepared to compromise on overall mission endurance. Mounting a SAS means less ‘SWaP’ for your other instruments.

This is where Solstice’s MAS solution excels. By drawing an incredibly low 21 Watts (which includes data acquisition), it becomes an equivalent to the leading AUV side-scan sonars for power. However, it offers a range and accuracy which is unlike any other side-scan sonar. When it comes to precision, over the initial 50-meter swath, Solstice is as stunning as any of the leading SAS systems. At the 75-meter range, the accuracy surpasses the closest side-scan sonar by more than two times. And, unlike our competitors, Solstice can provide data over a 200 m swath with a 100m range on each side. For a sonar that offers motion compensation and interferometry, Solstice is tiny and light, making it ideally suited to a two-person portable application.

In conclusion, this means MAS is ideally suited for rapid, low-logistics, long endurance, high-resolution deployments on AUVs capable of operation from vessels by smaller crews. In other words, 95% of AUVs working in the littoral zone!

To learn more, contact Wavefront Systems: Visit Website Send Message View Supplier Profile
Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact