|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction
Three institutes of the Netherlands
Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO have combined their distinctive
expertise in order to develop a modern and advanced seabed classification
system. The novel tool will classify and characterise the seabed and riverbed
applying acoustical methods and will be designed for modern downward-,
forward-, and side-looking sonar systems.
The TNO Institute of Applied Physics
(TNO-TPD) and the TNO Physics and Electronic Laboratory (TNO-FEL)
both are experts on acoustical technology. Within the scope of the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
joint
SEDCLAS project, TNO-TPD carried out a series of experiments to scale in
a water tank with a 'seabed' of both emery paper of varying grain size
and real sands (Figure 1, left). TNO-FEL developed a physical model of
the acoustical interaction with the sea and riverbed (Figure 1, middle).
The next step was a series of trials with different sonar systems on the
North Sea and estuaries along the Dutch coast. Here, the Netherlands Institute
of Applied Geoscience TNO - National Geological Survey contributed
its extensive experience in sampling and mapping waterbeds. Using a 'Hamon
grab', a large number of samples was taken enabling calibration ('ground
truthing') of the sonar measurements (Figure 1, right). |
|
|
|
|
|
Next
page