Operation Manual
FarSounder, Inc.
F31552 (Rev. 2.6.1)
Page 27 of 56
5. The 3D Sonar Display
5.1. Overview
The 3D Sonar Display is the window where FarSounder's 3D Forward-Looking Sonar information is shown.
In this view, the user is given a 3-dimensional picture of the sea floor ahead of the vessel along with in-water
targets. FarSounder's processing algorithms employ spatial classification techniques which are used to
differentiate between the sea floor and in-water targets. The sea floor is displayed as a smooth continuous
surface while in-water targets are displayed as small spheres, also known as voxels, which represent the
target's 3D location. All FarSounder sonars are specified as 8 water depth sonars. This means that they
can map the sea floor out to a distance of at least 8 times the depth of water in which the sonar is operating.
Beyond their water depth capabilities, the products can still detect in-water targets out to the full range of
the system.
Note
FarSounder's signal processing algorithms track from ping-to-ping all echoes classified as
in-water targets. If a target is only detected on a single ping, it is hidden from display. This
minimizes false alarms from reflections off of waves and other transient clutter. If a target is
tracked across multiple pings but is not detected on a subsequent ping, the target is shown on
the screen at the predicted location (based on previous track locations and vessel movements)
as a translucent in-water target.
The user can select between various display modes such as the 3D volumetric display, which allows the user
to rotate the 3D image with real-time perspective, and the standard display, which shows the 3D information
in a look-down display (much like a radar view, except below the water).
The Sonar View consists of four main components. They are: the 3D volumetric/standard views, the profile
view, the menu bar, and the color scale. These are shown in the figure below. Additionally, the user can
set an alarm, display 2D depth profiles ahead of the vessel at a user selected bearing, and configure other
advanced options in the display. This display also has various options in the Configuration Manager.
5.2. 3D Volumetric/Standard View
This view shows the data in either 3D Volumetric or Standard modes. To switch between these modes,
click the mode button in the menu bar.
In the 3D volumetric mode (see figure 18), the data is shown with shading and perspective on. Color
is mapped to depth, where blue is deep and red is shallow as defined in the color scale. Any mouse
movement while clicking and holding the left mouse button will rotate the 3D entire volume of data. Any
mouse movement while clicking and holding the right mouse button will zoom the data in and out.
