The Sonar Simulator for Underwater Navigation

Position of surface objects can be fixed in many ways. The most popular radionavigational systems, including satellite systems, make possible obtaining nearly continuous and very precise ship’s position. However, under the water application of radionavigational systems is impossible. Underwater navigation requires other tools and solutions then these encountered in surface and air navigation. In underwater environment vehicles and submarines, operate that have to possess alternative navigational systems. Underwater vehicles, in order to perform their tasks require accurate information about their own, current position. At present, they are equipped with inertial navigational systems (INS). Accuracy of INS is very high but in relatively short periods. Position error is directly proportional to time of working of the system. The basic feature of INS is its autonomy and passivity. This characteristic mainly decides that INS is broadly used on submarines and other underwater vehicles. However, due to previously mentioned shortcoming i.e. gradually increasing position error, periodical calibration of the system is necessary. The simplest calibration method is surface or nearly surface application of GPS system. Another solution, which does not require interruption of performed task and emergence on the surface, is application of comparative navigation technique. Information about surrounding environment of the ship, obtained e.g. by means sonic depth finder or board sonar, and comparing it with accessible pattern can be used in order to fix ship’s position. The article presents a structure and a description of working of underwater vehicle navigation system simulator. The simulator works on the basis of comparative navigation methods which exploit in turn digital images of echograms and sonograms. The additional option of the simulator is ability to robust estimation of measurements. One can do it in order to increase accuracy of position fixed with comparative navigation methods application. The simulator can be a basis to build future underwater navigation system. Key-Words: simulator, navigation, underwater navigation, sonar, sounder.