FarSounder has published an insightful article on the integration of its 3D forward-looking sonars (FLS) with hydrographic data acquisition software. These advanced 3D FLS solutions are vital for the precise and safe navigation of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
By seamlessly integrating with Qinsy, users of FarSounder can access advanced hydrographic processing features and extensive visualizations of incoming data streams. The 3D Forward Looking Sonars (FLS) from FarSounder provide real-time navigation and obstacle avoidance functionalities. The processed sonar data is presented through SonaSoft, farsounder’s dedicated processing and visualization software, enabling users to interact with the data to enhance navigation decisions. In addition to SonaSoft,various integrations allow users to view and manipulate Argos data within third-party systems,facilitated by FarSounder’s Software advancement Kit (SDK). One notable integration is with Qinsy, a hydrographic data acquisition software developed by QPS.
Exploring FarSounder’s SonaSoft Display
All argos sonar systems utilize FarSounder’s SonaSoft software for data processing and visualization. The real-time sonar data is represented in a 3D format within the 3D Viewer, as well as in a “top-down” view overlaid on an Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC).
Figure 1 – A screenshot of FarSounder’s SonaSoft software displaying data from an Argos 350 3D FLS in Narragansett Bay, Rhode island. The image highlights real-time detections of underwater targets and the seafloor, along with historical Local History Mapping data. The Chart View provides a 2D viewpoint of the data overlaid on an ENC, while the 3D View projects the same sonar data in three dimensions.
In addition to identifying the seafloor and navigation hazards in real-time, the system maintains a history of bathymetric data as the vessel progresses along its route. This data represents an average of seafloor detections across all pings in the area, typically displayed with color coding based on depth. Essentially, a map of the seafloor is generated from the vessel’s recent history for operator reference.
The information shown in SonaSoft is derived from processing raw sonar data into detections that correspond to both the seafloor and in-water targets, which may pose navigation risks. While some historical data is saved and displayed in SonaSoft, the primary function of the software is to provide real-time insights during navigation, allowing operators to quickly assess their surroundings.For those seeking a more detailed hydrographic analysis, Qinsy serves as an excellent choice.
Integration of SonaSoft with Qinsy
Qinsy is a comprehensive solution for survey planning, data acquisition, and real-time hydrographic data processing, catering to a wide range of industries from basic single-beam surveys to intricate offshore construction projects. Multiple sensors can be connected to qinsy together, supporting various hardware systems, including FarSounder’s Argos sonars. users can create and visualize processed point clouds and bathymetric grids in real-time for data review and quality control.
The process of connecting an Argos sonar to Qinsy is thoroughly documented in their user manuals. Users can add several sensors corresponding to FarSounder, which relay in-water target detections, seafloor detections, and data from positioning sensors. While SonaSoft typically manages the main control of the FarSounder system, Qinsy can also be utilized to adjust operational parameters.
Real-time Argos Data Visualization in Qinsy
Once the connection between SonaSoft and Qinsy is established as outlined in the documentation, users gain access to various real-time views of Argos data. The Raw Multibeam Display provides insights into the swath width and depth beneath the transducer.
Figure 2 – Raw Multibeam Data view in Qinsy showcasing a single ping of bottom detections from an Argos sonar.
The Swath System Display allows users to visualize the computed Digital Terrain Model (DTM) results while simultaneously displaying detected in-water target data alongside seafloor information.
Figure 3 – Swath System view in Qinsy illustrating the seafloor DTM from an Argos sonar, along with detected in-water targets.
In both displays highlighted in Figures 2 and 3, forward data, or detections along the range axis, are represented in 2D. The 3D point Cloud Display captures the three-dimensional nature of the Argos data, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 below:
Figure 4 – 3D Point Cloud Display in Qinsy presenting seafloor and in-water detection data from an Argos sonar.
Figure 5 – 3D Point Cloud Display in Qinsy showing seafloor and in-water detection data from an Argos sonar, side view with “Ping Fan” activated in the display settings.
These visualizations enable users to closely examine incoming data on a ping-by-ping basis. For navigation or hydrographic data collection, seafloor detections can be processed into a grid in real-time and displayed over an ENC using the Navigation Display, as demonstrated in Figure 6.
Figure 6 – The Navigation Display in Qinsy illustrating a sounding grid being updated in real-time as data streams into the system.
Additionally, in-water detections can also be visualized on the chart for navigation purposes within the same Navigation Display, as shown in Figure 7:
Figure 7 – The Navigation Display showcasing in-water target detections from the Argos system. Targets can be represented as ARPA targets (left, orange triangles) with customizable colors, or as USBL targets (right, gray circles).
Figure 7 illustrates in-water target detections from an Argos sonar in the Qinsy Navigation Display, utilizing two user-configurable representation options.
For FarSounder users seeking a more in-depth hydrographic analysis of the data collected with their Argos sonar, or to incorporate bathymetric data into their hydrographic workflows, Qinsy is an outstanding choice. qinsy customers with an Argos sonar installed for real-time navigation can now view data from all their sonar systems and other sensors in a unified hydrographic perspective within Qinsy.
Conclusion
the integration of Argos sonar data within Qinsy provides users with a more versatile and detailed perspective of the data they are collecting in real-time. Qinsy users with an existing FarSounder installation can easily connect to the FarSounder system by following the guidelines in their documentation, provided they are using Qinsy version 9.2 or later.
For further inquiries, please reach out to us at: sales@farsounder.com
