Quantifying Efforts to Mitigate Interference between an Unmanned Surface Vessel and Starfish 990F for the Identification of Underwater Features in the Littoral Zone

Abstract

Effective testing of new sensing technologies requires realistic yet deterministic test ranges. The advancements in customizable, adaptive unmanned surface vessels (USV) have contributed to the increasing presence of USVs completing maritime site characterizations of test ranges using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors such as the Tritech Starfish 990F side-scan sonar. This paper aims to present recommendations for the electromechanical integration of a COTS sonar system onto a capable USV through passive techniques such that underwater objects within the littoral zone of Sand Island, Hawaii, are characterized. Results demonstrated a 49% improvement in the sonar images. Therefore, designers are recommended to fully isolate the sensing system from the USV, physically separate the sonar and USV components, and to establish a baseline performance for the system prior to operation.