Marine Electronics – Sonar 3D Imaging Resolution Improved

Northstar Electronics announce improvement to Echotec's 3D sonar imaging (the former company has intent to take over the latter)

Northstar Electronics, Inc. which previously signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Echotec Sonar, is announcing improvements in Echotec's sonar image quality.

Echotec Sonar, through new techniques in sonar engineering, has recently made breakthroughs which have improved sonar image resolution levels by a measurable amount.  The company has found a way to bring quality to a level where it is significantly better than the diffraction limit would normally allow.  These performance gains are a direct result of the use of high bandwidth technology in a new and unique way.  To the operators of the sonar equipment, this yields a much crisper image than they have experienced in the past with standard equipment.

In addition to, and through the use of high bandwidth, Echotec's High Definition Sonar (HDS) is capable of 3-D imaging.  This 3-D imaging benefits the operators in that they can determine the depth of the displayed target in addition to knowing its range and bearing:

• For military operations this would provide improved situational awareness when considering an underwater mine, a terrorist underwater diver, or a small surface boat threat.  Ships traversing waters such at the straits of Hormuth have been known to encounter floating mines. The Echotec HDS could alert the ships crew to the near-surface contact.
• For commercial shipping, the added benefit of 3‑D would provide advanced warning of underwater obstacles or a terrorist diver threat when in port at an unsavoury or hostile location.
• For commercial fishing, it would assist the ship's captain in the net setting process, as the position of the nets in the water is critical to maximise the catch.  3‑D imaging also would allow the operator to clearly see fish close to the sea bottom.  This capability is currently not provided with existing sonars yet is critically important in catching the lucrative near bottom species.