Microbathymetric mapping from underwater vehicles in the deep ocean

In this paper we present a methodology for very high resolution acoustic mapping from an underwater vehicle. Based on the navigation, attitude, and bathymetric sensors that currently exist we show that the major issues for underwater mapping involve modeling sonar-specific artefacts due to beam pattern effects, calibration offsets of attitude sensors, and estimation and correction of tidal influences. We present an algorithm for modeling the beam pattern and for estimating calibration errors based upon specific vehicle maneuvers. Using a 675-kHz mechanically scanned pencil-beam sonar mounted on the Jason ROV, mapping results from an archaeological site at water depth 800 m in the Mediterranean are presented that are seen to be consistent and independently verifiable. (C) 2000 Academic Press.