Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Response Characteristics Of A Short Range, High Resolution, Digital Sonar Altimeter, Malcolm O. Green, John D. Boon

Reports

The Datasonics Model ASA-920 digital sonar altimeter (DSA) is a compact, high frequency (1 MHz), short range (0.5 to 5 m) underwater sonar device originally designed as an altimeter for submersib1es. Wright et al. (1986) have used the DSA successfully to measure changes in relative bed elevation at a point on the shoreface prior to and during a storm. Fixed to a rigid mounting on the seabed, the DSA produces a digital output that is proportional to the transducer elevation above the bed. The purpose of this report is to describe the response characteristics of the DSA.