Enhanced bottom sonar system

A system for identifying objects disposed on or within the floor of a body of water, comprising:

• means for transmitting toward a target a first sonar signal comprising a succession of bursts of selected different frequencies;
• means for receiving the target backscatter energy created by each successive individual frequency burst of said first sonar signal;
• means for collecting as data points over the range of frequencies used, each backscatter signal amplitude value and the associated burst frequency;
• a reference library of data point sets, each set predetermined to be representative of the backscatter energy of a particular object on or within said floor when impinged by said first signal;
• and
• means for determining which set of predetermined reference data points is most closely matched to said collected data points.

A system for identifying a cable disposed on or within the floor of a body of water, comprising:

• means for transmitting toward said cable a first sonar signal comprising a succession of bursts of selected different frequencies;
• means for receiving the target backscatter energy from said cable created by each successive individual frequency burst of said first sonar signal;
• means for collecting as data points over the range of frequencies used, each backscatter signal amplitude value and the associated burst frequency;
• a reference library of data point sets, each set predetermined to be representative of the backscatter energy of a particular structure of cable on or within said floor when impinged by said first signal;
• and
• means for determining which set of predetermined reference data points is most closely matched to said collected data points.

A method for identifying a cable disposed on or within the floor of a body of water, comprising:

• transmitting toward said cable a first sonar signal comprising a succession of bursts of selected different frequencies;
• receiving the target backscatter energy from said cable created by each successive individual frequency burst of said first sonar signal;
• collecting as data points over the range of frequencies used, each backscatter signal amplitude value and the associated burst frequency;
• providing a reference library of data point sets, each set predetermined to be representative of the backscatter energy of a particular structure of cable on or within said floor when impinged by said first signal;
• and
• determining which set of predetermined reference data points is most closely matched to said collected data points.