Sonar Shoal Detection Using Limit Incidence Angle Extrapolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar devices are limited in detecting shallow water hazards like gentle shoals due to weak sound reflection at high angles of incidence, leading to undetectable shoals beyond a certain range and potential vessel collisions.
Innovation Solution
A sonar device with a transmitter, transducer, and processing circuitry that projects ultrasonic waves, generates reception beams, determines a limit incidence angle, and extrapolates a shoal line to detect potential hazards beyond the detection range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional sonar devices are used for seafloor detection, then detection capability within limited range is achieved, but detection of gentle shoals beyond detection range is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the seafloor within the detectable range first, then uses the detected seafloor information and limit incidence angle to extrapolate the shoal line position beyond the detection range. This preliminary action enables the system to predict hazards that are not directly detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoal line acts as an intermediary element that connects the detected seafloor within range to the undetected shoal hazard beyond range. By calculating the shoal line based on the limit incidence angle, the system bridges the gap between detectable and undetectable regions.
2Length of stationary object
If sonar beam detects seafloor at high angles of incidence, then detection range is extended, but sound reflection becomes too weak to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of incidence angle to determine the limit incidence angle, beyond which seafloor detection becomes unreliable. By identifying this threshold parameter, the system can extrapolate shoal positions without relying on weak reflections at excessively high angles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to detect beyond the reliable detection range where signals are too weak, the system performs partial detection within the reliable range and uses mathematical extrapolation to infer information about the undetected region, avoiding the reliability issues of excessive action.
3Measurement precision
If sonar device relies on reflected signal for shoal detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but gentle shoals become invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy or model of the shoal line based on the detected seafloor characteristics and limit incidence angle. This copied information allows the system to represent and analyze gentle shoals that cannot be directly detected by reflected signals.
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
Enables accurate detection of shoals and provides early warnings of potential collisions by displaying hazard distances and times, ensuring safe vessel navigation.
Implementation Method 1
sound does not reflect strongly from objects at high angles of incidence
Implementation Method 2
The transducer is configured to project ultrasonic waves in a water body
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar device including a transmitter, a transducer, and processing circuitry is provided. The transmitter is configured to transmit a transmission signal. The transducer is configured to project ultrasonic waves in a water body, the ultrasonic waves being generated based on the transmission signal; receive reflected ultrasonic waves from one or more objects in the water body; and generate a reception signal based on the reflected ultrasonic waves. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a plurality of reception beams based on the reception signal; detect a seafloor among the one or more objects based on the plurality of reception beams; determine a limit incidence angle at which the seafloor is detected; extrapolate a shoal line based on the limit incidence angle, the extrapolated shoal line connecting with the detected seafloor; and detect a potential shoal hazard based on a determined depth of the extrapolated shoal line.