Experiment results of a novel sub-bottom profiler using synthetic aperture technique

Using Mills cross-configuration of multibeam sonar and synthetic aperture technique, a downward-looking synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), used for the sub-bottom profiler is presented here. The real data collected by the downward-looking SAS are processed by the multi­receiver SAS range migration algorithm. By analysing the performance of focused target, the buried object in the soft sediment layer below the seafloor can be well-reconstructed. Furthermore, it shows that the presented system has great potential in profiling the sediment layer below the seafloor.