Dimensional images from a high-resolution underwater acoustic imager

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Dimensional images from a high-resolution underwater acoustic imager

Jones, I.S.F.

A underwater acoustic imaging system capable of working in extremely turbid conditions and producing high resolution dimensioned images has been developed. It is suitable for inspecting pipelines and offshore structures. A large development program has been carried out in Australia as a collaborative effort between a number of organisations to overcome the traditional problems with underwater imaging. The system uses megahertz frequency sound, sparse array technology, one-bit digitisation and chirp illumination. Acoustic three dimensional images with range and orthoginal dimensions have been obtained from a prototype underwater acoustic imaging system and examples are presented. Resolutions of millimeters have been obtained. This high resolution, large image (10³ x 10³ x 10³ voxels) system is a new-to-the-world capability. This paper is a step in diffusing the new technology so that underwater acoustic imaging may become an innovation in offshore inspection and measurement.