Client
Dr Kelly Benoit-Bird, Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Oregon State University
Echoview is a standard tool for the analysis of echo sounder data and, in ‘‘Live Viewing’’ mode, provides robust near-real-time analysis that can incorporate basic data processing (removal of the seafloor, correcting data depth as the vehicle dives, removal of noise, etc.) along with tools for combining the two frequencies of acoustic data, analysis of solitary targets, volume scattering integration, and more.
Background
Deep in the ocean canyons of California’s Channel Islands, Dr Kelly Benoit-Bird worked to find out how and where beaked whales and sperm whales hunt for squid. Researching organisms that reside in depths of more than 1000m resulted in the development of a customized automated underwater vehicle (AUV), which is much more sensitive than a ship mounted sounder.
DOR-E a deep-diving AUV that hunts for squid and whales at depths of up to 1200 m (or 3/4 of a mile beneath the surface).
The AUV, fitted with multifrequency echosounders, computers and navigational equipment, allowed Echoview to process data and feed information to the navigation system in real time.
Multifrequency echosounder mounted inside the AUV
A complex data flow within Echoview resulted in a binary variable which identified whether squid have been detected in the data. Data outputs in CSV files were used in decision making by the navigation system on board the AUV via a smart application created by combining live viewing, scripting, and a custom-built utility program.
The Echoview team worked closely with the researchers to add new software features and programs to support this project, including:
- Live export operator: exports pings to a CSV file in real time
- COM methods to start and stop live viewing
- Significant improvements to Echoview’s live viewing stability and performance
- A custom monitoring program created to meet the requirements of the end user
An example of data collected from ship-based (large panel) and AUV-based (small panel) echosounders.
References:
For more information on this project please visit:
- Benoit-Bird, K. ; Southall, B.; Moline, M.A., 2015. Predator-guided sampling reveals biotic structure in the bathypelagic. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283(1825), 20152457.
- Moline, M.A.; Benoit-Bird, K., 2016. Sensor Fusion and Autonomy as a Powerful Combination for Biological Assessment in the Marine Environment. Robotics 5, 4.
- Moline, M.A.; Benoit-Bird, K.; O’Gorman, D.; Robbins, C, I., 2015. Integration of Scientific Echo Sounders with an Adaptable Autonomous Vehicle to Extend Our Understanding of Animals from the Surface to the Bathypelagic. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technologies, 32: 2173-2186.
- Physics.org: Whale of a difference: Researchers double depth at which technology can identify whale prey, September 2013.
Echoview provides a wide range of tools for the visualization, processing and analysis of data from echosounders and sonars. To find out how you can use Echoview for your acoustic data, please contact the Echoview team.
Acknowledgements
Echoview wishes to thank Dr Kelly Benoit-Bird, Professor at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science, Oregon State University at the time of this research for permission to present her work.
