INTEGRATED SONAR AND MAPPING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

摘要

An integrated sonar and mapping system for providing both sonar and mapping features in a single integrated system includes a controller for processing the returning sonar signals emitted and received by a transducer to generate echo data representative of the objects within the body of the water which reflect the sonar signals. The integrated sonar and mapping system also includes a screen display for displaying a graphical representation of the echo data, such as a visual image of at least some of the objects within the body of water which reflect the sonar signals. The screen display can also display a graphical representation of cartographic data representative of a map such that a visual image of at least a portion of the map is also displayed. The integrated sonar and mapping system can also include a navigational and positioning system, such as a positioning receiver for receiving positioning signals from at least one reference transmitter. Thus, the controller can generate positioning data representative of the position of the integrated sonar and mapping system and, therefore, the boat on which the system is mounted, based upon the positioning signals. Accordingly, the integrated sonar and mapping system can provide a number of distinct features in a single unit, including sonar, mapping and navigational features.