Bathymetric characteristics determining method, using side-scan or forward sonar, analyzing time difference between received signals and reducing phase ambiguity error by determining whole number of signal periods in delay period

摘要

An absolute delay, defined by the arrival time difference of a wavefront of the reflected signal on each of the antennae, is analyzed, the method including a step in which a phase ambiguity error affecting the delay is reduced. This is done by determining an information representing the whole number of periods of said signal included in said delay. The reduction step is based on refining initial, raw information, using a probabilistic analysis integrating at least a majority curve representing an estimation of the delay. Independent claims are included for : (1) an interferometric imaging sonar; and (2) the application of the method of the invention to determining bathymetric information concerning the sea bed and/or the detection of objects and their classification.