Model-based sediment classification using

single-beam echo-sounder signals

applying sophisticated software to the simplest hardware
Mirjam Snellen, Kerstin Siemes and Dick G. Simons, JASA 129 (5), May 2011, pp. 2878-2888
Professor Dick G. Simons
Chair Acoustic Remote Sensing
Delft University of Technology
Presentation outline
Sediment classification applications and market perspective
The single-beam echo sounder (SBES) system - classification
methodology
Modelling the echo sounder received signal - backscatter model
used
The optimization method Differential Evolution
Testing the approach on synthetic data
Application of the method to experimental data trial area and
results
Conclusions

Applications of sediment classification
market perspective
Coastal engineering (building at sea)
Marine biology (fisheries)
Marine geology (sediment transport)
Hydrography
Support of dredging operations
Support of mine hunting
Sonar performance modelling
Marine geology
5
The single-beam echo sounder (SBES)
Gives depth measurements based on
travel time, but

amplitude and shape of received signals
contains information on sediment composition
Gravel
Mud
Measurement
6
SBES classification methodology
7
Full modelling the echo signal intensity
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
4
4
R
b
e
I t B dA
R
A
o
o u u
u

=
}
with
u the angle of incidence (function of t)
o
b
(u ) the backscattering cross section
A(u ) the surface contributing to the
sound received at time t
B(u) the transmit/receive directivity
pattern of the transducer
o the attenuation coefficient
R the slant range (function of t)
8
Employed backscatter model o
b
(u)
Backscatter modelling accounting for both interface and volume
scattering ([1])

Interface scattering taken as the result of three different
approximations:

The Kirchhoff approximation, valid for smooth to moderately rough sediments and grazing
incidence angles near 90;

The composite roughness approximation, valid for smooth to moderately rough sediments and
grazing incidence angles away from 90;

Large-roughness scattering, where the scattering cross section is determined from an
empirical expression which is derived for rough sediments like gravel and rock.
[1] APL-UW High-frequency Ocean Environmental Acoustic Models Handbook,
Technical Report, APL-UW TR 9407, AEAS 9501, October 1994
9
Backscatter model input parameters
Isotropic relief spectrum W
2
(K)=(h
0
K)
-
w
2

| |
50
2
log d M
z
=
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) { } u u v
u u oo
o
P P
R
pv
Im 10 ln
sin 1 5
2
2 2
2

=
( ) u k u
2 2
cos = P with
and ( ) o
v
k i + = 1
1
Backscatter model input parameters
10
Default input parameter values
(fixed relations with M
z
)
11
Backscatter strength versus grazing angle
12
Example of modelled SBES signals
13
Maximizing the model-data agreement
Energy or Cost function C (fitness) quantifying the difference
between modelled and measured SBES return:







Minimization of this cost function for three parameters:

Mean grain size M
z


Volume scattering parameter o
2

Strength of bottom relief spectrum w
2



Differential Evolution employed as the optimization method
C
14
Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm
basic principle
15
Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm
in more detail
16
DE optimization
synthetic data
Sandy gravel sG
17
Muddy sand mS
DE optimization
synthetic data
18
Sandy clay sM
DE optimization
synthetic data
19
Overview results synthetic tests
M
z
w
2
o
2
20
Application to experimental SBES data
Measurement area and trial logistics
Cleaver Bank area
38 kHz SBES system
Well-known geology
Variety of sediment types
Bottom grabs available
Water depth: 30-60 m
21
Results - estimated M
z
, w
2
, and o
2
separately
mean grain size
spectral strength
volume scattering parameter
22
Results
reproduced from previous slide
Using fixed relation between
M
z
and w
2
and o
2
(see slide 10)

less realistic

23
Conclusions
Seafloor classification using a model-based approach on single-
beam echo-sounder data is feasible

The optimized mean grain size M
z
show good agreement with the
mean grain sizes obtained from the grabs

The optimized spectrum strength w
2
and volume scattering
parameter o
2
are what we expect from the APL relations

Plough marks only present in the w
2
map

Optimization for M
z
only gives similar map, although less realistic,
but computationally less demanding
(useful for a quick assessment of the area of interest)


24
SBES and MBES
classification results
Cleaver Bank, North Sea
River Waal
Oosterschelde