Swept transmit beam bathymetric sonar

摘要

The invention pertains a bathymetric sonar system involving a single swept transmit beam projector system which compensates for ship attitude and positioning changes. A sonar transducer array has a matrix of acoustic projector elements arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel rows and a plurality of substantially parallel columns; and means for causing each of the projector elements to generate an acoustic signal at a frequency and phase independently from each other projector element. Preferably the transducer array is operated by causing the projector elements to generate an acoustic signal at a frequency and phase independently from each other projector element, at a frequency and phase which is initially the same as the frequency and phase of each other element in its column and such that the frequency and phase of the projector elements in each column is different from each other column. Thus a single swept beam is projected toward the ocean floor. Then the frequency and phase of each projector element is modified to compensate for ship attitude and position changes. <IMAGE>