MAE Seminar- Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) Applications and Signal Processing

Details

Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) Applications and Signal Processing

Thursday, November 21, 2023, at 12:50pm
Location: MAE-A-303

Jim Prater, Ph.D
Senior Scientist
Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City

Abstract
Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) is an imaging sonar primarily developed to provide high resolution imagery at ranges longer than practical with real aperture side-looking sonar systems. These systems operate at lower frequencies when compared to real aperture systems which results in wider bandwidths and beamwidths. The wideband/widebeam nature of these systems enable capabilities far beyond the original imaging modalities that the systems were developed for. This talk will provide an overview of applications for SAS data where vehicle motion, environmental parameters, volumetric imaging, and other acoustic phenomena are measured. The talk will include example imagery and demonstrations of SAS technology. The research and development process for SAS sensors and research opportunities involving sonar and underwater acoustics in the Navy will also be discussed.

Biography
Dr. Prater received a Ph.D. in Chemical Oceanography from Florida State University in 2005 where he studied stable isotope tracers in natural systems in support of parameterizing global climate models. He went on to work for multiple defense contractors providing analytical support to characterize the performance of sonars. Through this work, he began working with synthetic aperture sonars and transitioned to working for the US Navy in sonar signal processing in 2008. In 2014 he was awarded the Department of the Navy Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year for the development of enhanced motion estimation, compensation, seafloor bathymetry and high resolution image generation techniques to facilitate the transition of SAS technology to fielded NAVY systems. He continues to work on research for the Office of Naval Research to continually improve SAS signal processing and to develop new data modalities to further exploit these data rich sensors.

MAE Faculty Host: Jane Shin