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Multibeam sonar backscatter data processing

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Abstract

Multibeam sonar systems now routinely record seafloor backscatter data, which are processed into backscatter mosaics and angular responses, both of which can assist in identifying seafloor types and morphology. Those data products are obtained from the multibeam sonar raw data files through a sequence of data processing stages that follows a basic plan, but the implementation of which varies greatly between sonar systems and software. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of this backscatter data processing chain, with a focus on the variability in the possible implementation of each processing stage. Our objective for undertaking this task is twofold: (1) to provide an overview of backscatter data processing for the consideration of the general user and (2) to provide suggestions to multibeam sonar manufacturers, software providers and the operators of these systems and software for eventually reducing the lack of control, uncertainty and variability associated with current data processing implementations and the resulting backscatter data products. One such suggestion is the adoption of a nomenclature for increasingly refined levels of processing, akin to the nomenclature adopted for satellite remote-sensing data deliverables.

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Figure adapted from Schimel et al. (2010)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Taihoro Nukurangi, 301 Evans Bay Parade, Hataitai, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand

    Alexandre C. G. Schimel

  2. Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology (Warrnambool Campus), Princes Hwy, Sherwood Park, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280, Australia

    Alexandre C. G. Schimel & Daniel Ierodiaconou

  3. Quality Positioning Services Canada Inc, Fredericton, Canada

    Jonathan Beaudoin

  4. Centre for Marine Science and Technology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia

    Iain M. Parnum

  5. National Oceanography Center Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK

    Tim Le Bas

  6. Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, University of New Hampshire, 24 Colovos Road, Durham, NH, USA

    Val Schmidt

  7. CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Gordon Keith

Authors
  1. Alexandre C. G. Schimel
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  2. Jonathan Beaudoin
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  3. Iain M. Parnum
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  4. Tim Le Bas
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  5. Val Schmidt
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  6. Gordon Keith
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  7. Daniel Ierodiaconou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandre C. G. Schimel.

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Schimel, A.C.G., Beaudoin, J., Parnum, I.M. et al. Multibeam sonar backscatter data processing. Mar Geophys Res 39, 121–137 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-018-9341-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-018-9341-z

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