Sidescansorointi

Sidescan sonar is a type of sonar system used to image the seafloor or the bottom of a body of water. It is typically towed behind a vessel or mounted on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The system emits sound pulses from a transducer array, which are directed outwards, perpendicular to the direction of motion, creating a fan-shaped acoustic beam. These pulses travel to the seafloor, and the time it takes for the echoes to return to the transducer is measured. The intensity of the returning echoes also provides information about the nature of the seafloor. Stronger echoes typically indicate harder surfaces like rocks or dense sediment, while weaker echoes suggest softer materials like mud or sand.

The data collected by a sidescan sonar system is processed to create a detailed acoustic image of the seafloor. This image resembles a photograph, where variations in acoustic reflectivity are displayed as differences in brightness. Objects on the seafloor, such as shipwrecks, pipelines, boulders, or changes in sediment type, appear as distinct features in the image. The resolution and coverage of the image depend on the operating frequency of the sonar and its altitude above the seafloor. Higher frequencies provide better resolution but have a shorter range, while lower frequencies offer longer range with coarser resolution. Sidescan sonar is widely used in marine archaeology, offshore surveying, environmental monitoring, and search and recovery operations.