Underwater Target Measurement Using Directional Echo Peak Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing target object measuring devices face challenges in accurately calculating the size and weight of underwater objects, particularly fish, due to interference from reflection waves generated by multiple fish, leading to reduced calculation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A target object measuring device utilizing a transducer with multiple receiving channels and signal processing modules to extract echo signals, detect peaks, calculate time differences between peaks, and generate histograms to accurately determine the size and weight of underwater targets, even in high-density environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional target strength measurement is used in high-density fish environments, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to blocking of reflection waves from other fish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the echo signal into multiple peaks and associates each peak with a specific fish target. By dividing the measurement into individual peak components rather than treating the echo as a single aggregate signal, the system can identify and measure each fish's target strength separately, eliminating interference from other fish in high-density environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using directional information to selectively process peaks from specific directions. Each peak is evaluated based on its incoming direction, and only peaks from the same direction (within a threshold angle) are grouped together for a single target fish. This directional filtering ensures that local measurement quality is maintained even when multiple fish are present.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple peaks from different directions are included in measurement, then data quantity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mixing signals from different targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using directional information to selectively process peaks from specific directions. Each peak is evaluated based on its incoming direction, and only peaks from the same direction (within a threshold angle) are grouped together for a single target fish. This directional filtering ensures that local measurement quality is maintained even when multiple fish are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of peak selection from arbitrary or fixed criteria to dynamic directional thresholding. The threshold angle parameter allows flexible control over how many peaks are included for each target, optimizing the balance between data quantity and precision based on environmental conditions and measurement requirements.
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
The device enhances calculation accuracy by focusing on peaks from the same direction and utilizing statistical methods, providing precise measurements of fish height, length, and weight, even in densely populated aquatic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer 11 transmits a transmission wave underwater and receives a reflection wave
Implementation Method 2
The target object echo signal extracting module 32 extracts an echo signal indicative of a target object from data of the reflection wave
Data Source
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AI summary
A target object measuring device and a method of measuring a target object are provided, which can accurately calculate the size and/or the weight of an underwater target object by utilizing a transducer. The target object measuring device includes a transducer, a target object echo signal extracting module, a peak detecting module, a peak incoming direction calculating module, a time difference calculating module, and a target object measuring module. The transducer transmits a transmission wave underwater and receives a reflection wave. The target object echo signal extracting module extracts an echo signal indicative of a target object from data of the reflection wave. The peak detecting module detects each of a plurality of peaks included in the echo signal. The peak incoming direction calculating module calculates an incoming direction of each of the plurality of peaks based on the reflection wave. The time difference calculating module calculates a time difference between a timing of appearance of a first peak and a second peak different from the first peak, among the plurality of peaks, a difference in the incoming direction between the first peak and the second peak being smaller than a given threshold. The target object measuring module calculates data related to a size and/or a weight of the target object based on the time difference.