PSEUDO SIDESCAN IMAGES FROM BACKSCATTER AMPLITUDE DATA OF THE HYDROSWEEP MULTIBEAM SONAR SYSTEM

Using the rms (root mean square) backscatter amplitude values, a proce dure was evolved to generate pseudo sidescan images. A comparison of t he pseudo sidescan image with actual Hydsosweep sidescan image, from a n area covering a pear shaped seamount in the southeast Pacific Ocean is presented. The two sidescan images are perfectly comparable. This r esult will enhance the utility of the Hydrosweep multibeam system so t hat, even in the absence of sidescan option, the offline pseudo sidesc an images can be obtained using only the rms backscatter amplitude val ues.