• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.467-476
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• 2003

For the seafloor acoustic image mapping of side scan sonar, the beginning step of the procedure is to fix the absolute sonar (tow-fish) position since the sonar is not hull mounted but towed astern. The technical algorithm used to calculate the actual sonar position without any other additional sub-system, i.e., the underwater acoustic position tracking system or the sonar attitude measuring device, was proposed. In the seafloor image mosaic mapping results using the sonar track (not ship track) developed in this study, any ambiguity or inconsistency of seafloor features was not found. The incidental effect from the sonar position determination procedure orients the towing direction of sonar to be smooth, consequently the swath pattern on the across-track direction becomes stable and the blanking phenomenon of the insonification area is reduced conspicuously. This technical method is considered to be an useful tool when applied toother underwater towing vehicle surveys.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.358-368
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• 2015

Recently, unmanned systems are largely utilized in various fields due to the persistency and the least operational risk and an unmanned surface vehicle(USV) is the one of the representative application in the naval field. To assign multiple roles to an USV, we developed a sonar system which consists of a forward detecting sonar for the long-range detection, a downward detecting sonar for the small target scan and identification, and a strut type body for mounting sonar systems. In this paper, we described the developed sonar system for USV and the sea test results for verifying system performance. The test results showed that the developed sonar system was able to detect the underwater target about several kilometers away and could recognize a small object at the downside of the sonar system. We expect that the developed sonar system will be easily applied to other unmanned platforms without serious consideration.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2016

This paper presents an underwater structure 3D reconstruction method using a 2D multibeam imaging sonar. Compared with other underwater environmental recognition sensors, the 2D multibeam imaging sonar offers high resolution images in water with a high turbidity level by showing the reflection intensity data in real-time. With such advantages, almost all underwater applications, including ROVs, have applied this 2D multibeam imaging sonar. However, the elevation data are missing in sonar images, which causes difficulties with correctly understanding the underwater topography. To solve this problem, this paper concentrates on the physical relationship between the sonar image and the scene topography to find the elevation information. First, the modeling of the sonar reflection intensity data is studied using the distances and angles of the sonar beams and underwater objects. Second, the elevation data are determined based on parameters like the reflection intensity and shadow length. Then, the elevation information is applied to the 3D underwater reconstruction. This paper evaluates the presented real-time 3D reconstruction method using real underwater environments. Experimental results are shown to appraise the performance of the method. Additionally, with the utilization of ROVs, the contour and texture image mapping results from the obtained 3D reconstruction results are presented as applications.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.1 s.24
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• pp.24-32
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• 2006

This paper is to analyze the effectiveness of multistatic sonar network based on detection performance. The multistatic sonar network is a distributed detection system that places a source and multi-receivers apart. So it needs a detection technique that relates to decision rule and optimization of sonar system to improve the detection performance. For this we propose a data fusion procedure using Bayesian decision and optimal sensor arrangement by optimizing a bistatic sonar. Also, to analyze the detection performance effectively, we propose the environmental model that simulates a propagation loss and target strength suitable for multistatic sonar networks in real surroundings. The effectiveness analysis on the multistatic sonar network confirms itself as a promising tool for effective allocation of detection resources in multistatic sonar system.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.5-26
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• 2013

Since the optimized use of sonar systems for target tracking is a practical problem for naval operations, the measure of mission achievability is needed for preparing efficient sonar-maneuver tactic. In order to quantify the mission achievability or Measure Of Effectiveness(MOE) for given sonar-maneuver tactics, we developed and tested a simulation algorithm. The proposed algorithm for tracking is based on Measure Of Performance(MOP) for localization and tracking system of sonar against target. Probability of Detection(PD) using steering beam patterns referenced to the aspect angle of sonar is presented to consider the tracking-performance of sonar. Also, the integrated software package, named as Optimal Acoustic Search Path Planning(OASPP) is used for generating sonar-maneuver patterns and vulnerability analysis for a given scenario. Through simulation of a simple case for which the intuitive solution is known, the proposed algorithm is verified.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2016

In this paper we present (1) analysis of imaging sonar measurement for two-view relative pose estimation of an autonomous vehicle and (2) bundle adjustment and 3D reconstruction method using imaging sonar. Sonar has been a popular sensor for underwater application due to its robustness to water turbidity and visibility in water medium. While vision based motion estimation has been applied to many ground vehicles for motion estimation and 3D reconstruction, imaging sonar addresses challenges in relative sensor frame motion. We focus on the fact that the sonar measurement inherently poses ambiguity in its measurement. This paper illustrates the source of the ambiguity in sonar measurements and summarizes assumptions for sonar based robot navigation. For validation, we synthetically generated underwater seafloor with varying complexity to analyze the error in the motion estimation.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.1738-1741
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• 1997

This paper addresses the issue fo target classification and localization with a SONAR for mobiler robot indoor navigation. In particular, multiple refetions of SONAR sound are used actively and interntionally. As for the SONAR sensor, the multiple reflection has been generally considered as one of the noisy phenomena, which is inevitable in the indoor environments. However, these multiple reflections can be a clue for classifying and localizing targets in the indoor environment if those can be controlled and used well. This paper develops a new SONAR sensor module with a reflection plane which can actively create the multiple refection. This paper also intends to suggest a new target classification emthod which uses the multiple refectiions. We approximate the world as being two dimensional and assume that the targets consisting of the indoor environment are pland, corner, and edge. Multiple reflection paths of an acoustic bean by a SONAR are analyzed, by simulations and the patterns of the TOPs (Time Of Flight) and angles of multiple reflections from each target are also analyzed. In addition, a new algorithm for target classification and localization is proposed.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 1994

In order to estimate the detection range of a active SONAR system, the SONAR equation is commonly used. In this paper, an algorithm to calculate detection range in active SONAR system as function of SONAR depth and target depth is presented. For given SONAR parameters and environment, the transmission loss and background level are found, signal excess is computed. Using log-normal distribution, signal excess is converted to detection probability at each range. Then, the detection range is obtained by integrating the detection probability as function of range for each depth. The proposed algorithm have been applied to the case of omni-directional source with center frequency 30Hz for summer and winter sound profiles. It is found that the optimal search depth is the source depth since the detection range increase at source depth where the signal excess is maximized.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.673-678
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• 2009

The efficiency of active sonar that is used underwater observation equipment is important for obtain the information of topography and trace for the objects. Sound wave transmitted from sonar are distorted by acoustic window which is to protect sonar. Making various sonar dome is impossible for experiment, because consumed unnecessary time and expense. So, the purpose of this study is to simulate and analyze the acoustic window propagated sound wave from sonar for designing model reduced insertion loss. Simulation is performed by transient analysis and fluid-structure interaction analysis. As a result, this study will give a opportunity for efficient design of sonar dome without high cost and time consumption.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2011

It is very important for a mobile robot to recognize and model its environments for navigation. However, the grid map constructed by sonar sensors cannot accurately represent the environment, especially the narrow environment, due to the angular uncertainty of sonar data. Therefore, we propose a map building scheme which combines sonar sensors and IR sensors. The maps built by sonar sensors and IR sensors are combined with different weights which are determined by the degree of translational and rotational motion of a robot. To increase the effectiveness of sensor fusion, we also propose optimal sensor arrangement through various experiments. The experimental results show that the proposed method can represent the environment such as narrow corridor and open door more accurately than conventional sonar sensor-based map building methods.