SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR PRODUCING A 3D SONAR IMAGE

摘要

Provided are a sonar system and transducer assembly for producing a 3D image of an underwater environment. The sonar system may include a housing mountable to a watercraft having at least one transducer array. The transducer array may include a transmit/receive element configured to transmit sonar pulses and a second transducer element. The transmit/receive element and the second transducer element may receive first and second sonar returns convert the first and second returns into first and second sonar return data. A sonar signal processor may then generate a 3D mesh data using the first and second sonar return data and at least a predetermined distance between the transducer elements. An associated method of using the sonar system is also provided.

主权项

1. A sonar system comprising:
a housing mountable to a watercraft capable of traversing a body of water; at least one transducer array positioned within the housing and aimed downwardly from the watercraft,
wherein the transducer array comprises a transmit/receive transducer element and a second transducer element,wherein the transmit/receive transducer element is configured to transmit sonar pulses into the water;wherein the transmit/receive transducer element is configured to receive first sonar returns from the sonar pulses produced by the transmit/receive transducer element and convert sound energy of the first sonar returns into first sonar return data,wherein the second transducer element is configured to receive second sonar returns from the sonar pulses produced by the transmit/receive transducer element and convert sound energy of the second sonar returns into second sonar return data, andwherein the transmit/receive transducer element is positioned within the housing at a predetermined distance from the second transducer element; and a sonar signal processor configured to process the first sonar return data and the second sonar return data to generate 3D mesh data based on at least the predetermined distance between the transmit/receive transducer element and the second transducer element.