Underwater sounding method and apparatus

A method, said method comprising:

• receiving a first signal;
• obtaining a second signal and a third signal from said first signal, wherein a gain of said second signal is smaller than a gain of said third signal;
• and
• generating a composite signal, said generating step including
• performing a gain compensation for said third signal, to obtain a gain compensated third signal,
• selecting a part of said second signal for said composite signal, when a saturation of said third signal is detected, and
• selecting a part of said gain compensated third signal for said composite signal, when no saturation is detected in said third signal.

An apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a signal input unit for providing a first signal;
• a signal processing unit for obtaining a second signal and a third signal from said first signal, wherein a gain of said second signal is smaller than a gain of said third signal;
• and
• a signal selection unit for generating a composite signal from said second signal and said third signal, said signal selection unit generating a composite signal by
• detecting saturation in said third signal,
• selecting a part of said second signal for said composite signal, when saturation is detected in said third signal, and
• selecting a part of said third signal for said composite signal, when no saturation is detected in said third signal.

An apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a signal input unit for providing a first signal;
• a signal processing unit for obtaining a second signal and a third signal from said first signal, wherein a gain of said second signal is smaller than a gain of said third signal;
• and
• a signal selection unit for generating a composite signal, said signal selection unit generating a composite signal by
• performing a gain compensation for said third signal, to obtain a gain compensated third signal,
• selecting a part of said second signal for said composite signal, when a saturation of said third signal is detected, and
• selecting a part of said gain compensated third signal for said composite signal, when no saturation is detected in said third signal.