Simulation and Evaluation of Small High-Frequency Side Scan Sonars Using COMSOL

J. Jonsson[1], E. Edqvist[1], H. Kratz[1], M. Almqvist[2], and G. Thornell[1]
[1]Ångström Space Technology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
[2]Department of Measurement Technology and Industrial Electrical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Published in 2009

High frequency side-scan sonar, to be fitted on a miniaturized submersible explorer, have been simulated and built. The purpose of this study is to see if COMSOL Multiphysics® can be used to predict the performance of the sonar, especially the beam width, setting the resolution of the system. Four models were created, from simple 2-D geometries to more complex 3-D models. The simulated beam widths were compared with measurements to see which of the models agreed best. It was found that all models agree with the experimental results to varying degrees, and mostly with a difference of less than 6%. It was found that the simplest model agreed best with the measurements, closely followed by the most complex model.

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