In a sonar system using a large array multielement sonar detector to detect reflected signals sent out by a sonar ping generator, the sent out sonar ping generator sends out varying frequency sonar signals during each ping, where the frequency is neither monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing.

An acoustic dual-frequency phased array system with common beam angles is disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes a planar array of transducer elements and a multiplexing circuit for selecting between a first state and a second state during either transmit operation, receive operation or both transmit and receive operation. The multiplexer is configured to connect transducer elements to a plurality of connections different between the first state and second state. The system is configured to transmit and receive beams at a first frequency when the multiplexer is in the first state and transmit and receive beams at a second frequency when the multiplexer is in the second state. The angle of the beams from vertical in the first and second state are substantially similar.

Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic sensor control device that controls an ultrasonic sensor device configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic sensor control device includes a transmission control section configured to control transmission of a transmission ultrasonic wave at a first frequency through the ultrasonic sensor device, a reception section configured to receive a reception ultrasonic wave through the ultrasonic sensor device, and a device control section configured to control the ultrasonic sensor device to set given frequencies as a transmission frequency of the transmission ultrasonic wave and a reception frequency of the reception ultrasonic wave. The device control section changes the reception frequency in such a manner that the reception frequency is a frequency different from the first frequency during a first period including at least a transmission period during which the transmission ultrasonic wave is transmitted.

Aspects of the subject technology relate to a method of correcting sensor position. The method comprises transmitting one or more first pulses of a first frequency range towards a first portion of a seabed and one or more second pulses of a second frequency range towards a second portion of the seabed, and receiving a first set and second set of backscattered data. The method further includes processing the first and second set of backscattered data to form a first and second set of image data and comparing the first set and second set of image data. The method further includes creating one or more error vectors between the first set and second set of image data, and updating the first set of backscattered data based on the one or more error vectors to produce an updated set of image data.

A transducer system with a transducer and circuitry for applying a waveform to excite the transducer during an excitation period. The applying circuitry also comprises circuitry for changing a frequency of the waveform during the excitation period.

A method is accordingly provided for operating an ultrasonic sensor, a plurality of measuring cycles being successively carried out. In each measuring cycle—an electroacoustic transducer of the ultrasonic sensor is excited using an excitation pulse, causing it to mechanically oscillate, as a result of which a measuring signal is transmitted by the transducer, an echo signal is received by the transducer, and a piece of object information is ascertained from the echo signal. The frequency curve of the excitation pulse is differentiated into two measuring cycles successively carried out at least at the end of the frequency curve. The ascertained pieces of object information from at least two measuring cycles are compared with one another and an interference is identified as a function of the result of the comparison.

An ultrasonic detecting device may include a transmitter, a receiver, a motor, and processing circuitry. The transmitter may transmit a sequence including a first pulse wave and a second pulse wave separated by a time interval shorter than a time required for an ultrasonic wave to make a round trip underwater to a detection range. The receiver may convert reflection waves of the first and second pulse waves into echo signals. The motor may rotate the receiver. The processing circuitry may acquire, from the echo signals, a first echo signal and a second echo signal, generate first image data based on the first echo signals and second image data based on the second echo signals, and generate synthesized image data based on an angular position of the receiver when the first image data is generated, and an angular position of the receiver when the second image data is generated.

A transducer system with a transducer and circuitry for applying a waveform to excite the transducer during an excitation period. The applying circuitry also comprises circuitry for changing a frequency of the waveform during the excitation period.

An object detection device includes a signal generator configured to generate a drive signal including an identification signal for identifying ultrasonic waves, a transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave as a probe wave in response to the drive signal, a receiver configured to receive the ultrasonic wave to generate a reception signal, and a determiner configured to analyze frequencies of the reception signal to determine whether the received wave is a reflected wave of the probe wave, thereby detecting an object. The drive signal includes a ramp-up signal generated to be followed by the identification signal and is used to ramp up an amplitude of the probe wave. A frequency of the ramp-up signal is set to include a frequency at which a transmission/reception efficiency is higher than a transmission/reception efficiency at each of a maximum frequency of the identification signal and a minimum frequency of the identification signal.

Disclosed is an ultrasonic sensor control device including a transmission control section configured to control a transmitting device configured to transmit a transmission ultrasonic wave, a receiving section configured to receive a reception ultrasonic wave, a frequency determining section configured to determine a result of comparing a reception frequency that is a frequency of the reception ultrasonic wave received by the receiving section and that is a frequency capable of being received by the receiving section, with a transmission frequency of the transmission ultrasonic wave that is transmitted under the control of the transmission control section, and a frequency switching section configured to change the transmission frequency and the reception frequency on the basis of a result of the determination by the frequency determining section.