Design and Implementation of a Shipborne Echo Sounder Simulator Based on a Seabed Echo Scattering and Noise Model

The Manila Amendment 2010 to the STCW International Convention has made clear requirements for seafarers to use the navigation simulation system for training. A shipborne echo sounder is an important navigation aid equipment necessary for a ship’s bridge. Proper use of this equipment can effectively prevent ship grounding accidents. Given the lack of research on simulating different seabed substrate echoes within echo sounder simulations, this paper proposes an algorithm for generating echoes and clutter from various seabed substrates, based on the Jackson model and noise model. Using the seabed echo generation algorithm, the bathymetric data and seabed echo under the influence of ship rolling are generated, the seabed echo simulation of the sounder under the influence of four different grazing angles and six different substrates is realized. Clutter images, including random noise, bubble interference, co-frequency interference, and fish school interference, are also simulated. A typical ship echo sounder simulator is designed and developed. The echo sounder simulator developed in this paper has high realism in seabed echoes and clutter simulation, complete functions, and friendly human–computer interaction. The system has been used by college students and crews, with satisfactory results, which can effectively meet the needs of actual training of seafarers.