Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide three dimensional target selection for use when operating mobile structures. A three dimensional target selection system includes a logic device configured to communicate with a user interface and receive volume data from a volume data source. The logic device is configured to render a first perspective of a three dimensional representation of the volume data on a display of the user interface, determine a first viewpoint vector within the 3D representation based, at least in part, on a first user input received by the user interface; and identify an object or position within the volume data based, at least in part, on the first viewpoint vector and the first user input.

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are therefore provided for producing a 3D image of an underwater environment. An example method for providing an image of an underwater environment includes analyzing sonar returns to identify and display objects, such as fish or debris, in a 3D view. Such an image allows for differentiation between the sea floor and objects in a 3D sonar view. Some example methods provide for real-time tracking of fish. Further, the fish or other objects may be displayed over a continuous surface geometry based on sonar returns from a lake, sea, or river floor.

A sonar mapping system that includes a sonar transducer assembly configured for mounting on a watercraft, and a display configured to show a topographical chart of a body of water. The sonar mapping system further includes a processor coupled to the sonar transducer assembly and display. The processor is configured to create the topographical chart in real time, and to update the topographical chart in real time, based on sonar data provided by the sonar transducer assembly. The processor is configured to render the created or updated topographical chart on the display. The sonar mapping system has memory accessible by the processor and configured to store the topographical chart rendered by the processor, and to store the sonar data provided by the sonar transducer assembly. The sonar data includes information indicative of vegetation present on a lakebed, seabed, or riverbed surface, the information being displayed on the topographical chart.

An underwater detection apparatus is provided, which may include a transmission transducer, a reception transducer, and processing circuitry. The transmission transducer may transmit a transmission wave in an underwater transmission space. The reception transducer may include a plurality of reception elements, each reception element generating a reception signal based on a reflection wave comprising a reflection of the transmission wave on an underwater target. The processing circuitry may perform beamforming in each of a plurality of reception spaces based on the reception signals, generate a 3D image data of the target based on the beamforming performed in each reception space, and extract a contour of the target detected in at least one of the reception spaces, and generate a contour image data to be displayed along with the 3D image data on a display unit.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes multiple sensor channels, each comprising a sonar transmitter and a sonar receiver, and a logic device configured to provide control signals and receive sensor signals from the sensor channels. The logic device is configured to provide transmission signals to sonar transducer assemblies, where signal patterns of the transmission signals are differentiated based at least in part on frequency content. Acoustic returns are processed using the signal patterns to reduce inter-channel pickup between the sensor channels. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

A marine sonar display device comprises a display, a sonar element, a memory element, and a processing element. The display presents sonar images. The sonar element generates a sonar beam and presents transducer signals. The processing element is in communication with the display, the sonar element, and the memory element and receives the transducer signals, calculates sonar data from the transducer signals and generates a three-dimensional view of a portion of the body of water, wherein the view includes a plurality of sonar images. Each sonar image is generated from sonar data derived from a previously-generated sonar beam and includes representations of underwater objects and a water bed. The processing element also generates a cursor plane and a cursor positioned thereon, both of which appear on the three-dimensional view. The processing element further controls the display to present the three-dimensional view, the sonar images, the cursor plane, and the cursor.

Monitoring method and system to monitor the underwater traffic of an area of interest where at least one underwater element is going to operate. The system comprises: a memory, which is configured to store data comprising a representation of the area of interest, and a list of a plurality of types of underwater elements with the relative digital model; a detection unit to detect the position and the orientation of each underwater element present inside said area of interest; a processing unit, which is configured to determine, based on the stored data and on the detection of said detection unit, the type of each underwater element present inside the area of interest, and to generate, based on said data, a representation of the area of interest showing the static obstacles, and the digital model, the position and the orientation of each underwater element present inside said area of interest; and a user interface to display said representation of the area of interest.

An apparatus for providing marine information is provided including a user interface, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to generate a sonar image based on sonar return data received from an underwater environment, determine a location associated with the sonar return data based on location data received from one or more position sensors, and render a nautical chart on a display. The computer program code is further configured to cause the apparatus to receive a user input on the user interface directed to a portion of the display in which the nautical chart is presented, and modify presentation of the nautical chart such that the portion of the display presents the sonar image in response to receiving the user input.

Generally, a scanning device performs a sonic scan of a space by generating an ultrasonic impulse and measuring reflected signals as raw audio data. Sonic scan data including raw audio data and an associated scan location is forwarded to a sonic mapping service, which generates and distributes a 3D map of the space called a sonic map. When multiple devices contribute, the map is a collaborative sonic map. The sonic mapping service is advantageously available as distributed computing service, and can detect acoustic characteristics of the space and/or attribute visual/audio features to elements of a 3D model based on a corresponding detected acoustic characteristic. Various implementations that utilize a sonic map, detected acoustic characteristics, an impacted visual map, and/or an impacted 3D object include mixed reality communications, automatic calibration, relocalization, visualizing materials, rendering 3D geometry, and the like.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide transmission signal shaping for transmission signal-based sensor systems, such as radar and/or sonar sensor systems. A low noise signal shaping transmitter includes a digital to analog converter configured to convert a digital shaping control signal to an analog shaping control signal, a signal shaping circuit configured to convert the analog shaping control signal into a shaped voltage, and a power amplifier configured to provide a shaped transmission signal based on the shaped voltage and a digital transmission control signal. Each element of the transmitter may be formed from relatively slow switching analog and/or digital circuitry components. Resulting shaped transmission signals may be used to excite radar antennas, sonar transducers, sound cells, and/or other elements of sensor systems.