The Simulation of Side Scan Sonar Images Using Ray Tracing Techniques

Recent progress in computer graphics has produced techniques which create extremely realistic images by modelling the behaviour of light as it interacts With the objects in a scene.This paper presents some initial attempts at using the light model as a vehicle for the development of a sonar simulation system; the aim being to produce synthetic images which closely approximate real side scan sonar images.Using this approximation to the sonar process.the effects of several variables are explored.For example.beam shape and orientation, and basic sediment properties such as re ection coef cient and microstructure.Some analogies with light will be presented and the results of some simulations compared with real images will be given.