Sonar Apparatus Using Segmented Receiver Arrays for Compact Wide-Arc Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar apparatus for locating features on the underwater floor in front of a boat face challenges such as large physical size, high cost, long data collection times, mechanical failures due to rotation, and reduced accuracy from acoustic coupling, making them unsuitable for small boats and prone to mechanical issues.
Innovation Solution
The sonar apparatus employs a plurality of receivers to process sound waves reflected from the underwater floor, using interpolation to calculate positions between segments, allowing for a compact arrangement that generates image data showing the underwater floor in a wide arc without the need for mechanical rotation, thus improving reliability, accuracy, and processing speed while reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phased arrays with multiple receivers and variable delay lines are used to determine directions of arrival, then the accuracy of locating features on the underwater floor is improved, but the physical area occupied by the apparatus increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the water front into multiple discrete segments, with each receiver dedicated to one segment. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide arc coverage without requiring a large phased array, as each receiver processes signals from its specific segment independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional phased array approach to a multi-segment spatial distribution approach. By arranging receivers across multiple segments covering different angular ranges, the system achieves wide arc coverage in a compact configuration without requiring extensive parallel processing.
2Measurement precision
If phased arrays process each point on the floor individually to produce images, then the accuracy of feature location is improved, but the time required to gather sufficient data increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the detection area into segments and assigning dedicated receivers to each segment, the system can process multiple segments simultaneously or with minimal sequential overhead, reducing overall data collection time while maintaining accuracy within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the relationship between receivers and segments, and pre-calculates the geometric relationships for position determination. This allows rapid processing of reflected sound waves without requiring extensive real-time computation for each point.
3Device complexity
If staring arrays with fixed transducers are used to reduce physical size, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the coverage area is limited to a narrow segment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple staring array configurations into a single apparatus, with each receiver covering a specific segment. By merging these simpler staring array units across different angular positions, the system achieves wide arc coverage while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of individual staring array elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Each receiver in the multi-segment apparatus functions as a dedicated staring array for its segment, but the collective system provides universal coverage across a wide arc. This multi-functionality allows the apparatus to maintain simple receiver designs while achieving comprehensive coverage.
4Area of stationary object
If mechanical rotation mechanisms are used to scan wide arcs, then the coverage area is improved, but the reliability decreases due to mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical rotation mechanisms with a static multi-segment receiver array. Each receiver is fixed in position and processes signals from its designated segment, eliminating moving parts while maintaining wide arc coverage through the geometric arrangement of multiple receivers.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the coverage area and assigning fixed receivers to each segment, the system achieves wide arc coverage without requiring mechanical movement. The segmentation allows the apparatus to cover a wide arc through static spatial distribution rather than dynamic scanning.
5Area of stationary object
If mechanical rotation is used to scan wide arcs, then the coverage area is improved, but the measurement precision decreases due to acoustic coupling losses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical rotation with a static receiver array, eliminating the acoustic coupling losses and beam angle scattering that occur with moving arrays. The fixed receivers maintain stable acoustic coupling with the water, preserving measurement precision while achieving wide coverage through geometric arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves dynamic wide-arc coverage capability through the static geometric arrangement of multiple receivers rather than physical movement. Each receiver maintains a fixed, optimized acoustic coupling angle for its segment, preserving precision while the collective configuration provides dynamic-like coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a compact, reliable, and accurate sonar system that efficiently generates image data of the underwater floor in a wide arc, suitable for small boats, with improved processing speed and reduced costs by eliminating the need for extensive parallel processing and mechanical rotation.
Implementation Method 1
each receiver being responsive to sound waves reflected from points on the underwater floor
Implementation Method 2
produce electrical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Sonar apparatus for the location and display of features on the underwater floor in front of a boat includes port and starboard transducer units each containing transducer arrays. A transducer interface and a visual processor process signals from the transducer arrays to generate image data for a display. The transducer arrays emit sound waves into non-overlapping segments of water, reflected by the underwater floor back to the transducer arrays, which convert them to electrical signals. The electrical signals are processed to calculate a three-dimensional position of each point on the underwater floor. The sonar apparatus performs interpolation using the three-dimensional positions of the reflecting points within the segments to calculate three-dimensional positions of points on the underwater floor between these segments. The three-dimensional positions of the points are then used to generate image data showing the underwater floor in front of the boat.