A new estimation technique for high-resolution bathmetry

A new technique for depth estimation in airborne laser bathymetry is propos ed. The technique involves the transmission of a nonlinear frequency-modula ted signal, the detection of the signal reflected by the ocean, and its pro cessing using an appropriate matched filter. On the basis of this technique , a new airborne laser bathymeter could be designed that would offer improv ed resolution between the signal components reflected by the surface and bo ttom of the ocean, which would translate into improved accuracy of depth me asurement. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.