Using acoustic diffraction to determine the seabed slope
In this paper, we present a new seabed detection method based on the use of a single beam electro-acoustic transducer (echo sounder). This method uses both acoustic diffraction and bottom backscattering properties to determine the 2D or 3D equation for seabed slopes. It can thus be used for bottom tracking (e,g, for autonomous underwater vehicles). In comparison to existing sonar-based processes, our method offers the advantages of mono-beam transducers: low computational cost, lower power consumption and higher sampling rate.
diffraction bottom tracking auv undersea robotics navigation obstacle detection