Hydroacoustic Bottom Soil Profiling Device with Synthetic Aperture

Abstract

Introduction. Acoustic profiling is a conventional method for studying the geological structure of the seabed. To this end, a low-frequency acoustic profiler with an operating frequency range of 1…14 kHz can be used. However, under lower operating frequencies, the difficulty of achieving the required resolution arises. The problem of improving the angular resolution of a hydroacoustic device, particularly in the direction of the carrier movement, remains to be a priority task in the search and detection of objects on the seabed, as well as the study of the bottom soil structure. Angular resolution can be improved through several approaches, including an algorithm for synthesizing the antenna aperture based on the law of the phase change of the reflected signal. This approach is relevant in the design of highresolution hydroacoustic tools.Aim. To demonstrate the possibility of constructing a bottom soil profiling device, as well as the possibility of increasing its angular resolution based on an algorithm for synthesizing the antenna aperture of an acoustic profiler.Materials and methods. The study employed the groundwork data obtained for side-scan sonars with a synthetic aperture in terms of constructing an antenna device and the methods of radio-wave excitation developed for radar systems.Results. The possibility of synthesizing the antenna aperture for an acoustic profiler of the bottom soil was studied. An algorithm for synthesizing the antenna aperture was investigated along with phase distortions of the trajectory signal and their influence on the sonar image. The fundamental principles of processing the trajectory signal were considered.Conclusion. An approach to increasing the resolution of an acoustic profiler when performing search and survey tasks is proposed. The proposed design of the acoustic part of a profiling device can be used in the development of search and survey hydroacoustic devices with a high angular resolution.