A study on detecting and classifying underwater mine like objects using image processing techniques

Detection and classification of underwater mines among natural formations and debris along the sea floor is a tedious task. In order to overcome such scenario an automated computer aided detection and classification system is required. Image processing techniques are used to improve the performance of mine hunting operations using sector-scan, side-scan, magnetometers, cameras, etc. This paper serve as a strategic review of the potential for image processing techniques to aid the detection and classification of underwater mines and mine-like objects in side scan sonar imagery. Five basic components of any Computer-Aided Detection and Classification (CAD/CAC) technique are considered namely image preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction, computer aided detection and computer aided classification. In this paper more than thirty research papers of image processing techniques are clearly reviewed.