Chapter 15
Application of the Multi-sensor Fusion Method
for Underwater Landscape Modeling
Claire Noël, Christophe Viala, Michel Coquet, Simon Marchetti
and Eric Bauer
Abstract This paper presents application of multi-sensors data fusion to underwater
landscape modeling.
It first deals with multi-sensors mini-oceanographic survey unit devoted to sea
bottom mapping and monitoring developed by SEMANTIC TS. Then it presents
research tasks conducted by SEMANTIC TS to develop a mapping method for underwater seabed. First stage is to develop methods for characterizing vegetation and
sediment on the seabed using the acoustic response from a conventional single beam
echo sounder. These new methods are then operated simultaneously with multibeams sonar producing micro-relief information and side scan sonar providing gray
scale levels associated with bottom reflectivity. Then fusion of these data is processed. We show efficiency of these multi-sensors survey unit and multi-sensors data
fusion concepts to get very precise 3D bottom mapping allowing monitoring, in a
way optimizing truth control (video and diving investigations). Examples are given
on diving spot places showing results of these methods for underwater landscape
modeling.
Keywords Mapping method · Reflectivity · 3D modeling · Acoustic survey
15.1 Introduction
SEMANTIC TS, is a research and development company in oceanographic acoustic,
leading research since 2004 in the fields of mapping and monitoring of subsea areas.
The following equipments and methods are operated simultaneously from a small
oceanographic ship dedicated to research and mapping of the coastal waters:
• An interferometric side scan sonar (GEOSWATH+) that make possible the acquisition and realization of very well georeferenced side scan sonar mosaics as
the same time as the acquisition of high density multibeam bathymetric data in
C. Noël () · C. Viala · M. Coquet · S. Marchetti · E. Bauer
Semantic TS, 1142 chemin de Saint Roch, 83110 Sanary sur Mer, France
e-mail: contact@semantic-ts.fr
O. Musard et al. (eds.), Underwater Seascapes, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03440-9_15,
239
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Application of the Multi-sensor Fusion Method
for Underwater Landscape Modeling
Claire Noël, Christophe Viala, Michel Coquet, Simon Marchetti
and Eric Bauer
Abstract This paper presents application of multi-sensors data fusion to underwater
landscape modeling.
It first deals with multi-sensors mini-oceanographic survey unit devoted to sea
bottom mapping and monitoring developed by SEMANTIC TS. Then it presents
research tasks conducted by SEMANTIC TS to develop a mapping method for underwater seabed. First stage is to develop methods for characterizing vegetation and
sediment on the seabed using the acoustic response from a conventional single beam
echo sounder. These new methods are then operated simultaneously with multibeams sonar producing micro-relief information and side scan sonar providing gray
scale levels associated with bottom reflectivity. Then fusion of these data is processed. We show efficiency of these multi-sensors survey unit and multi-sensors data
fusion concepts to get very precise 3D bottom mapping allowing monitoring, in a
way optimizing truth control (video and diving investigations). Examples are given
on diving spot places showing results of these methods for underwater landscape
modeling.
Keywords Mapping method · Reflectivity · 3D modeling · Acoustic survey
15.1 Introduction
SEMANTIC TS, is a research and development company in oceanographic acoustic,
leading research since 2004 in the fields of mapping and monitoring of subsea areas.
The following equipments and methods are operated simultaneously from a small
oceanographic ship dedicated to research and mapping of the coastal waters:
• An interferometric side scan sonar (GEOSWATH+) that make possible the acquisition and realization of very well georeferenced side scan sonar mosaics as
the same time as the acquisition of high density multibeam bathymetric data in
C. Noël () · C. Viala · M. Coquet · S. Marchetti · E. Bauer
Semantic TS, 1142 chemin de Saint Roch, 83110 Sanary sur Mer, France
e-mail: contact@semantic-ts.fr
O. Musard et al. (eds.), Underwater Seascapes, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03440-9_15,
239
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014