Multibeam sonar is an acoustic surveying method that emits multiple, fan-shaped sound beams from a transducer array to map seafloor or submerged surfaces with high spatial resolution. By measuring two-way travel time and angle of return for each beam, it computes water depth and seafloor morphology across a wide swath perpendicular to the vessel track. Beamforming techniques electronically steer and shape the beams, improving angular discrimination and signal-to-noise ratio. Modern systems integrate motion sensors, GPS, and sound-speed profiles for precise georeferencing and ray-path correction, enabling detailed bathymetric grids, backscatter intensity maps, and three-dimensional models for hydrographic, geologic, and engineering applications.
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