Collection and processing of multibeam and side-scan data to hydrographic standards

Modern hydrographic surveying for the production of navigation-quality charts requires the collection and processing of large volumes of data while maintaining complete traceability of the processing steps and the origin of the data points. To meet this need, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) developed the Integrated Hydrographic Survey System (IHSS), a complete hydrographic survey package that allows efficient planning, data acquisition, and processing; it also provides the ability to simultaneously collect large volumes of multibeam and side-scan sonar data and to fully track the processing steps, all the way through to the find data products. As an integrated system, the IHSS facilitates communication among the planning, acquisition, and processing functions to ensure that any change made in one function will be immediately recognized by the entire system, with the appropriate actions taken. Survey layout can be planned prior to commencing field operations or modified while surveying. Data processing may begin immediately after the data are acquired; therefore, the data can be evaluated for quality and completeness during ongoing survey operations. Any potential data gaps can be immediately identified and additional lines added to the survey plan, so that complete coverage is assured prior to departing the area. Data products such as track plots, coverage plots, contour plots, sonar contact plots and hydrographic smooth sheets can be created at any point during processing. The first survey to utilize this system was conducted under contract to the NOAA for surveys in Long Island Sound and Vineyard Sound