## 1 Introduction
Meanwhile, research by domestic scholars has been relatively limited, with more emphasis on the current situation abroad and on the control, navigation, and path planning of AUV devices themselves. In relation to the relevant research on the application of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with side-scan sonar, the book \"Technology and Application of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles\" discusses the utilization of AUVs with side-scan sonar for seabed resource detection. It also addresses the feasibility and practical validation of this objective [2]. Additionally, [PERSON]'s research examines the use of AUVs with side-scan sonar to obtain images for precise positioning correction [22], while [PERSON] and [PERSON] focus on autonomous data processing by unmanned AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar [23]. Our institute, led by [PERSON] et al., conducts research on enhancing and classifying AUV side-scan sonar image processing [24]. [PERSON] explores the effectiveness and applicability of combining AUVs with side-scan sonar for target detection in complex environments [25]. [PERSON] et al. also conduct research on AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar for target detection [26], with a primary emphasis on real-time processing of side-scan sonar data and target detection. While research has explored AUV applications and the use of various sensors, including side-scan sonar, there remains a lack of systematic focus on the operational methods and specifications for AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar. Consequently, in-depth exploration is necessary to propose a comprehensive production process for AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar. The most critical aspects of this exploration are the technical design and operational implementation processes. The above content underscores that incorporating side-scan sonar into AUVs is a supplementary strategy. In practical applications, utilizing side-scan sonar-equipped AUVs for seabed topography exploration requires technical specifications, operational guidance,and requirements and limitations under various operating conditions. Presently, there is a dearth of research in this area, necessitating a thorough investigation and analysis of the technical design scheme for AUVs conducting side-scan sonar operations. The principal contributions and innovations of this article encompass the following:  
1. Design of an operational process for AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar for seabed topography detection, involving technical design, operational preparation, and execution. This work has enabled the preliminary development of the capability to utilize unmanned autonomous underwater platforms for seabed topography detection. It conducts a systematic analysis of AUV performance characteristics and their advantages for side-scan sonar operations. By integrating AUV equipment performance characteristics with side-scan sonar operational principles, a technical design scheme for AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar measurement operations is proposed. This design differs from schemes designed for shipborne operations, offering efficient scenarios for applying AUVs in combination with side-scan sonar for seabed topography detection and target scanning. The standardized technical guidance facilitates the enhancement of AUV efficiency while ensuring their safety and load safety, leveraging the advantages of AUVs and payloads, and ensuring data quality. 2. To validate the suitability of the survey line planning scheme, a series of targeted validation tests were designed, and the actual sea trial process of AUVs equipped with side-scan sonar for measurement operations is described in detail. The feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of the proposed technical design scheme are discussed and analyzed, and issues encountered during actual side-scan sonar operations using AUVs are summarized, along with corresponding solutions. Additionally, a detailed analysis is conducted regarding the characteristics of AUV-acquired side-scan sonar image data and its impact on data processing.