Comparison of Single-beam and Multibeam Sonar Systems for Sediment Characterization: Results from Shallow Water Experiment

This study discusses the consistency of the analysis results based on two sonar systems for seafloor sediment characterization. Single-beam echo sounder system (SBES) and multibeam echo sounder (MBES) devices were simultaneously utilized in an experiment conducted in the Yellow Sea, China. Different model-based methods were adapted to generate the modeled replica while processing the echo envelopes of the SBES and the backscatter strength of the MBES. These replicas were compared with the real experimental data using the simulated annealing algorithm to invert the surficial parameters of ocean sediment. Finally, the parameters inverted from the two sonar systems were compared and discussed.