MBES PROCESSING LEARNING MATERIAL
MBES PROCESSING LEARNING MATERIAL
MBES PROCESSING LEARNING MATERIAL
Multibeam Echosounder
1. PURPOSE
The objective of this document is to outline the methodology and responsibilities of personnel
involved in processing of multibeam data.
2. SCOPE
This procedure shall cover the processing sequence for multibeam echosounder data. There was
several software that has been utilised for multibeam data processing such as Qinsy (Survey Manager
and Validator), Qimera, FMGT, Global Mapper, Trimble Terramodel, Beamworx Autoclean, Track
Processing, Microsoft Excel.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
3. PROCEDURE
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
QIMERA SOFTWARE MULTIBEAM SURVEY PROCESSING
FLOWCHART
PROCEDURE
- Add the raw sonar data files by clicking Add Files and selecting the .db file format.
Import the raw data, ensuring that the Auto Detect Vessel Configuration option is enabled.
- The multibeam survey dataset will be displayed in the Raw Sonar Files layer.
- Tide data plays a crucial role in multibeam survey processing as it directly impacts the accuracy of
depth measurements. Tide corrections help adjust for the vertical movement of water, ensuring
that the final depth values are referenced to a consistent datum.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
a) Creating Predicted Tide
- Rename the Tide Definition file and update the Station Name, Station ID, and Data Type fields.
Enter the Tidal Harmonic Constants values, then click Finish.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Next, create a new Tide Data file.
- Create the Tide Data file, ensuring the Data Type is set to Manual Data. Specify the Start Date and
End Date, with the interval time typically set to 10 minutes.
- Highlight Column A in Microsoft Excel, then go to Data > Text to Columns. Select Delimited, then
check both Tab and Comma as delimiters. Click Finish, and the data will be separated into columns
accordingly.
- Highlight all columns except for B, C, and Q, then delete them. This will leave only the columns
containing Date, Time, and Tide data in the tide data file.
- Import the tide file by clicking Source > Add Tide Files.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Add the station, rename it as needed, and select the appropriate tide type (Predicted or Observed).
- Check the tide data by opening the Time Series Editor for the Tide Layer.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
4. Edit Processing Settings
- Right-click on the MBES Raw Sonar Data and select Edit Processing Settings.
- This is the Processing Settings Editor window, where you can adjust the parameter settings.
a) Sound Velocity
- The Sound Velocity Processing Settings Editor allows you to configure the sound velocity profile
used in the processing of multibeam sonar data.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This is the example of sound speed data, typically used in multibeam processing. This table shows
the depth in meters and the corresponding sound speed in meters per second at various depths.
- For every raw sonar data file, the sound speed data typically needs to be applied at each specific
location and time of measurement. Here's an example of how sound speed data might be
structured for each raw sonar data, considering different depth and time variations across a survey.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Go through each file to check for any discrepancies by using the Time Series Editor. In the editor,
review the sound speed data for consistency and accuracy. If necessary, change the sound speed
to Surface Sound Speed to correct any issues or inconsistencies in the data.
- To delete the spike in the data, select the icon for spike removal, then click on the
spike you want to delete. This will remove the unwanted data point from the time series.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- The selected data will be highlighted in red. To combine the line again after removing the spike,
click the icon to smooth the line and restore the data continuity.
- The joined data will be highlighted in green. To complete the process, click on the icon to
finalize the changes, then click Save to apply and save the adjustments.
- The Position, Motion, and Heading Settings Editor is used to configure the parameters related to
the positioning system, motion sensors, and heading data during multibeam sonar processing.
These settings ensure that the raw sonar data is accurately referenced to the correct position,
orientation, and motion of the survey platform.
- Use the Tab Window to select and prioritize the data sources for Position, Motion, and Heading.
o Position Source Priorities: This section defines the order of importance for the positioning
systems (e.g., GPS, DGPS, RTK GPS).
o Motion Source Priorities: This section determines the priority for motion sensors (e.g., IMU
or MRU) that provide roll, pitch, and heave data.
o Heading Source Priorities: This section allows the selection of the preferred heading data
source (e.g., gyrocompass, magnetometer). The system with the highest priority is used to
determine the vessel's heading during the survey.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
c) Vertical Referencing
- Vertical referencing refers to the process of adjusting depth measurements so that they are
referenced to a consistent vertical datum. This is essential for ensuring that the depth data is
accurate and comparable, regardless of the varying tide conditions, water levels, or survey
reference systems.
- Use this Tab Window to verify whether the tide data has been applied to the MBES (Multibeam
Echo Sounder) dataset.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This window allows users to check the status of tide corrections and confirm if they have been
successfully integrated into the raw multibeam data.
d) Blocking
- This window will be used to set the filters for processing the multibeam sonar data. The Angle filter
is applied to trim the outer beams of the data in order to improve the overlap between the nearby
survey lines. The setting required to set for angle to -75° for the minimum and 63° for the maximum.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- In addition, tick the boxes for Brightness Fail and Collinearity Fail to apply filters. These settings are
aimed to improve the quality the dataset by focusing on reliable, well-overlapping data and also
removing problematic data.
- After the processing parameter setting has been configured, click Apply and then select Yes to
process all these change settings.
5. Vessel Configuration
- Vessel configuration need to check all vessel offset, patch test values that has been configured
during acquisition and uncertainty settings. In order to ensure the accurate positioning, double
check the vessel offsets, patch test values, and uncertainty settings that have been configured
during acquisition process.
- Right click on MBES data set in the project and then select Edit Vessel Configuration.
- This is the MBES Starboard Transducer offset values that need to be verified after updated the
Patch Test Calibration and Verification Survey. The Roll (°), Pitch (°), Heading (°) value must adjusted
to reflect the results of the calibration survey.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Dynamic Surface refers to the real-time application of surface models that have been updated
dynamically as the new data is processed.
- Choose Raw Sonar file > Dynamic Surface > Create Dynamic Surface > Assign name and the size of
the cell. Assign the name of the dynamic surface and bin size is 1 meter.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Dynamic Surface result:
- The Wobble Analysis Tool inside Qimera allows you to dynamically adjust the echosounder and/or
motion sensor configuration in a trial and-error method to isolate causes of integration errors
resulting in so-called "wobbles" in the sounding footprint results.
- Highlight all the Raw Sonar Data, then navigate the Tools and click the Wobble Analysis Tool. This
enable the adjustments to be made and the changing effects to observed in real-time which help
to correct wobbles and inaccuracies.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- On the Wobble Analysis Control dock, change the setting for Along Track (-8.000 m) and Across
Track (-4.000 m). Edit the Range for the setting from -10.000 m until 10.000 m.
- This will allow for the analysis of potential wobbles along both track and across track.
- Click Save and Apply the wobble analysis value, Select All > Save.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
8. Cleaning Data
- For cleaning data, filtering includes 5 preset spline filter profiles, ranging from very weak to very
strong. The Very Strong Spline preset is much more aggressive in removing soundings.
- The Swath Editor and Slice Editor can be used. Both of these editors can assist us to identify the
and remove the noise and outliers.
a) Filtering
- Highlight the Raw Sonar data then Right Click and select Run Sounding Filters on Files. Choose the
Filter Profile into Very Strong Spline and set the filter to Area. The filter helps to remove the noise
until there is no obvious noise/spike on the data.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
b) Swath Editor
- The first option that can be used is Swath Editor. This tool can modify soundings straight from a
particular processed raw sonar file using the Swath Editor.
- Any related Dynamic Surface will be automatically updated by the saved edits after editing is
finished. Choose a processed raw sonar file from the project to begin.
- The noise can still appear after the filtering; however, we can still remove it using swath editor.
- To use the Swath Editor, highlight the line and then Click Tools > Launch Swath Editor.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- To start cleaning the data, click this icon to select the data and delete the noise/spike.
The selected data will be highlighted in red indicated that it has been marked for removal.
Noise Data
- Go through every slice of the dataset until every swath is clean from noise/spike.
c) Slice Editor
- The second option that can be used is Slice Editor. The Slice Editor allows for editing the soundings
of the surface in a 2D projected widget.
- The Slice Editor uses any of the area selection modes but is primarily used with the Fixed Slice Select
or Free Slice Select.
- Click the Scroll Slice Select or Rectangular Select to select the area.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
Noise Data
- Click this icon and remove the unwanted noise or spike on the selected area. The
selected data will be highlighted in red colour for deletion.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
Noise Data
- This step involves the adjustment and refinement of seafloor or surface models derived from sonar
data to account for various factors that can influence data accuracy.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This refinement process is crucial in hydrographic surveys, underwater mapping, and other
geospatial analyses because it helps to produce high-quality, reliable models for navigation,
environmental monitoring, and other applications.
- Create the dynamic surface for each line before perform the static shift tool. This tool will compute
a static (constant) vertical shift between two surfaces.
- This tool computes an average vertical offset between two surfaces using the statistical data
generated by a traditional surface difference, but only using one value for the whole surface. Click
Tools > Dynamic Surface Shifts > Static Vertical Shift Tool.
- Choose the dynamic surface to shift and reference surface and then click on “Calculate Optimal
Shift” to get the average vertical shift value to apply. Click on Save Shift.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- To check whether the value has been applied is through Processing Settings Editor and go to Shifts.
Then select Review Shifts to verify the applied values and to ensure that all necessary adjustments
have been correctly implemented.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
b) Varying Shift
- Create the dynamic surface for each line before perform the static shift tool. This tool will compute
a continuously varying vertical shift between two surfaces.
- This tool computes a time-varying vertical offset between two surfaces using the statistical data
generated by a traditional surface difference.
- Click Tools > Dynamic Surface Shifts > Static Vertical Shift Tool.
- Choose the dynamic surface to shift and reference surface and then click on “Calculate Varying
Shift” to get the varying vertical shift value to apply. Click on Save Shift.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
10. Generate THU/TVU
- Both THU and TVU were used to quantify the uncertainties in vertical measurements, helping to
ensure the processed data follows the require standards for accuracy and reliability.
- This process will create two static surfaces; one for THU and another for TVU. The units are the
same as the THU and TVU of a beam, project units (ft/m) scaled to 95% confidence interval.
- To import the finalize data in QPD format, click on the Source tab and select Add Processed Point
File.
- Click on ‘Add Files’ > Navigate to the DTM folder in the Qimera Project > Select the QPD files.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This is the QPD files that have been added.
- Compile all line into one dynamic surface. After Finish, the THU and TVU layer will be created. Click
Dynamic Surface > Create THU and TVU Layers.
- After finish processing, it will automatically create another surface in Sd Object. It will create two
file which is one for THU and one for TVU.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- To export the Geotiff image of the area that also have the Z value, click on the Export tab > click
Dynamic Surface > click Export to Surface.
- Select the ‘Export Floating Point GeoTIFF Grid’. Named the file and Click ‘Save’.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- The image can be viewed by using Global Mapper. Cross check the water depth, geodetic
projection.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
QIMERA SOFTWARE PATCH TEST CALIBRATION PROCESSING
- Add the raw sonar data files by clicking Add Files and selecting the .db file format.
Import the raw data, ensuring that the Auto Detect Vessel Configuration option is enabled.
- The multibeam survey dataset will be displayed in the Raw Sonar Files layer.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
3. Apply Tide Data
- Tide data plays a crucial role in multibeam survey processing as it directly impacts the accuracy of
depth measurements. Tide corrections help adjust for the vertical movement of water, ensuring
that the final depth values are referenced to a consistent datum.
- Rename the Tide Definition file and update the Station Name, Station ID, and Data Type fields.
Enter the Tidal Harmonic Constants values, then click Finish.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Create the Tide Data file, ensuring the Data Type is set to Manual Data. Specify the Start Date and
End Date, with the interval time typically set to 10 minutes.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Highlight Column A in Microsoft Excel, then go to Data > Text to Columns. Select Delimited, then
check both Tab and Comma as delimiters. Click Finish, and the data will be separated into columns
accordingly.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Highlight all columns except for B, C, and Q, then delete them. This will leave only the columns
containing Date, Time, and Tide data in the tide data file.
- Import the tide file by clicking Source > Add Tide Files.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Add the station, rename it as needed, and select the appropriate tide type (Predicted or
Observed).
- Check the tide data by opening the Time Series Editor for the Tide Layer.
- Right-click on the MBES Raw Sonar Data and select Edit Processing Settings.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This is the Processing Settings Editor window, where you can adjust the parameter settings.
a) Sound Velocity
- The Sound Velocity Processing Settings Editor allows you to configure the sound velocity profile
used in the processing of multibeam sonar data.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This is the example of sound speed data, typically used in multibeam processing. This table shows
the depth in meters and the corresponding sound speed in meters per second at various depths.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- For every raw sonar data file, the sound speed data typically needs to be applied at each specific
location and time of measurement. Here's an example of how sound speed data might be
structured for each raw sonar data, considering different depth and time variations across a survey.
- Go through each file to check for any discrepancies by using the Time Series Editor. In the editor,
review the sound speed data for consistency and accuracy. If necessary, change the sound speed
to Surface Sound Speed to correct any issues or inconsistencies in the data.
- The selected data will be highlighted in red. To combine the line again after removing the spike,
click the icon to smooth the line and restore the data continuity.
- The joined data will be highlighted in green. To complete the process, click on the icon to
finalize the changes, then click Save to apply and save the adjustments.
- The Position, Motion, and Heading Settings Editor is used to configure the parameters related to
the positioning system, motion sensors, and heading data during multibeam sonar processing.
These settings ensure that the raw sonar data is accurately referenced to the correct position,
orientation, and motion of the survey platform.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Use the Tab Window to select and prioritize the data sources for Position, Motion, and Heading.
o Position Source Priorities: This section defines the order of importance for the positioning
systems (e.g., GPS, DGPS, RTK GPS).
o Motion Source Priorities: This section determines the priority for motion sensors (e.g., IMU
or MRU) that provide roll, pitch, and heave data.
o Heading Source Priorities: This section allows the selection of the preferred heading data
source (e.g., gyrocompass, magnetometer). The system with the highest priority is used to
determine the vessel's heading during the survey.
c) Vertical Referencing
- Vertical referencing refers to the process of adjusting depth measurements so that they are
referenced to a consistent vertical datum. This is essential for ensuring that the depth data is
accurate and comparable, regardless of the varying tide conditions, water levels, or survey
reference systems.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Use this Tab Window to verify whether the tide data has been applied to the MBES (Multibeam
Echo Sounder) dataset.
- This window allows users to check the status of tide corrections and confirm if they have been
successfully integrated into the raw multibeam data.
d) Blocking
- This window will be used to set the filters for processing the multibeam sonar data. The Angle
filter is applied to trim the outer beams of the data in order to improve the overlap between the
nearby survey lines. The setting required to set for angle to -75° for the minimum and 63° for the
maximum.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- In addition, tick the boxes for Brightness Fail and Collinearity Fail to apply filters. These settings
are aimed to improve the quality the dataset by focusing on reliable, well-overlapping data and
also removing problematic data.
- After the processing parameter setting has been configured, click Apply and then select Yes to
process all these change settings.
- Dynamic Surface refers to the real-time application of surface models that have been updated
dynamically as the new data is processed.
- Choose Raw Sonar file > Dynamic Surface > Create Dynamic Surface > Assign name and the size of
the cell. Assign the name of the dynamic surface and bin size is 1 meter.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- The Wobble Analysis Tool inside Qimera allows you to dynamically adjust the echosounder and/or
motion sensor configuration in a trial and-error method to isolate causes of integration errors
resulting in so-called "wobbles" in the sounding footprint results.
- Highlight all the Raw Sonar Data, then navigate the Tools and click the Wobble Analysis Tool. This
enable the adjustments to be made and the changing effects to observed in real-time which help
to correct wobbles and inaccuracies.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- On the Wobble Analysis Control dock, change the setting for Along Track (-8.000 m) and Across
Track (-4.000 m). Edit the Range for the setting from -10.000 m until 10.000 m.
- This will allow for the analysis of potential wobbles along both track and across track.
- Click Save and Apply the wobble analysis value, Select All > Save.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
7. Patch Test Tool
- Patch test operations are done using the prioritized position and motion system.
- In order establish angular offsets or position latency for secondary systems, must re-prioritize
these as the primary sensor for the patch test Raw Sonar Files using the Processing Settings dialog
and then run the patch test session again.
- This will not overwrite the offsets established for the original primary sensors.
- This will be the Patch Test Control Window. The selection area for the plot test is automatically
configured on start-up. It will also automatically change when you select one of the precomputed
Manual Selection Sets contains the Roll, Pitch, and Heading.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Click on the icon to launch the auto-solve routine. And then to save the calibration, click the
icon once satisfied with the calibration.
- Sometimes, the Auto Solve calibration still has the gap for both lines selected. To solve this gap
problem, use the slider on the Patch Test Control Window until there is no gap.
- Repeat the step above for every offsets. Then, the cumulative offsets value can be viewed inside
this Patch Test Control Window.
- Save the Patch Test and apply offsets for all the line data. Click Auto Process after Save and Exit
the Patch Test.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
8. Vessel Configuration
- Vessel configuration need to check all vessel offset, patch test values that has been configured
during acquisition and uncertainty settings. In order to ensure the accurate positioning, double
check the vessel offsets, patch test values, and uncertainty settings that have been configured
during acquisition process.
- Right click on MBES data set in the project and then select Edit Vessel Configuration.
- This is the MBES Starboard Transducer offset values that need to be verified after updated the
Patch Test Calibration and Verification Survey. The Roll (°), Pitch (°), Heading (°) value must
adjusted to reflect the results of the calibration survey.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
9. Cleaning Data
- For cleaning data, filtering includes 5 preset spline filter profiles, ranging from very weak to very
strong. The Very Strong Spline preset is much more aggressive in removing soundings.
- The Swath Editor and Slice Editor can be used. Both of these editors can assist us to identify the
and remove the noise and outliers.
a) Filtering
- Highlight the Raw Sonar data then Right Click and select Run Sounding Filters on Files. Choose
the Filter Profile into Very Strong Spline and set the filter to Area. The filter helps to remove the
noise until there is no obvious noise/spike on the data.
b) Swath Editor
- The first option that can be used is Swath Editor. This tool can modify soundings straight from a
particular processed raw sonar file using the Swath Editor.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Any related Dynamic Surface will be automatically updated by the saved edits after editing is
finished. Choose a processed raw sonar file from the project to begin.
- The noise can still appear after the filtering; however, we can still remove it using swath editor.
- To use the Swath Editor, highlight the line and then Click Tools > Launch Swath Editor.
- To start cleaning the data, click this icon to select the data and delete the noise/spike.
The selected data will be highlighted in red indicated that it has been marked for removal.
Noise Data
- Go through every slice of the dataset until every swath is clean from noise/spike.
c) Slice Editor
- The second option that can be used is Slice Editor. The Slice Editor allows for editing the soundings
of the surface in a 2D projected widget.
- The Slice Editor uses any of the area selection modes but is primarily used with the Fixed Slice
Select or Free Slice Select.
- Click the Scroll Slice Select or Rectangular Select to select the area.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
Noise Data
- Click this icon and remove the unwanted noise or spike on the selected area. The selected
data will be highlighted in red colour for deletion.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
Noise Data
- This step involves the adjustment and refinement of seafloor or surface models derived from
sonar data to account for various factors that can influence data accuracy.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This refinement process is crucial in hydrographic surveys, underwater mapping, and other
geospatial analyses because it helps to produce high-quality, reliable models for navigation,
environmental monitoring, and other applications.
- Create the dynamic surface for each line before perform the static shift tool. This tool will compute
a static (constant) vertical shift between two surfaces.
- This tool computes an average vertical offset between two surfaces using the statistical data
generated by a traditional surface difference, but only using one value for the whole surface. Click
Tools > Dynamic Surface Shifts > Static Vertical Shift Tool.
- Choose the dynamic surface to shift and reference surface and then click on “Calculate Optimal
Shift” to get the average vertical shift value to apply. Click on Save Shift.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- To check whether the value has been applied is through Processing Settings Editor and go to
Shifts. Then select Review Shifts to verify the applied values and to ensure that all necessary
adjustments have been correctly implemented.
d) Varying Shift
- Create the dynamic surface for each line before perform the static shift tool. This tool will compute
a continuously varying vertical shift between two surfaces.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- This tool computes a time-varying vertical offset between two surfaces using the statistical data
generated by a traditional surface difference.
- Click Tools > Dynamic Surface Shifts > Static Vertical Shift Tool.
- Choose the dynamic surface to shift and reference surface and then click on “Calculate Varying
Shift” to get the varying vertical shift value to apply. Click on Save Shift.
- To export the Geotiff image of the area that also have the Z value, click on the Export tab > click
Dynamic Surface > click Export to Surface.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Select the ‘Export Floating Point GeoTIFF Grid’. Named the file and Click ‘Save’.
- The result for the Multibeam Patch Test Calibration Before and After alignment error.
BEFORE
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
AFTER
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
FLOWCHART
PROCEDURE
a) By Source/Paired Files
- Click Add the Sonar Pairs or Add Source/Pair
- Tick on the Dual Head Mode and Pair MBES system between QPD and Snippet system.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Make that the Settings remain Default.
b) By Source Files
- Inside the Mosaic Parameters, Line Blending must be 50%, Mosaicing Style must be No Nadir if
Possible 25%, Filter type into dB Mean
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Inside the Processing Parameters, firstly the Adjust parameters are as picture below.
- The patch analyzer menu option opens the Angle vs Range figure. One of example ARA analysis
on survey area
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
6. Line Backscatter Adjustment
- This menu option use to offset the processed dB value for the currently selected line. This menu
use, if there is a line where the overall brightness level is different from the surrounding lines. The
offset is stored for further use in generation of future mosaics.
- Right click on the Mosaic > Export > One Merged Floating Point GeoTIFF.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
- Export the Mosaic Tiles.
- In this project, tiles were created with dimension (2,5 x 2,5) km to fulfill deliverables requirement
to have GeoTIFF image size below 500MB.
- Open Global Mapper and import Backscatter Floating GeoTIFF file.
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
Highlight the tiles by right click Tiles (Shapefile) layer > Select – Select All Features in Selected
- Finish tiling > GeoTIFF images will be created refer to Tiles Name
Processing
Multibeam Echosounder
9. Import in ArcGIS
- For floating point geotiff have to input manually for the high and low intensity values.
Refer to backscatter
processing parameter