SAS Sub-array focusing back-projection imaging method under heterogeneous computing

Abstract The synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) back projection (BP) algorithm is characterized by its ability to adapt to complex trajectories, facilitate motion error compensation, and achieve precise imaging. However, the computational complexity of the BP algorithm is high, making real-time imaging difficult to achieve in miniaturized and lightweight signal processing units. This paper proposes a focused back-projection imaging method for SAS sub-arrays under heterogeneous computing and leverages the high-performance parallel computing capabilities of the graphics processing unit (GPU) to accelerate the imaging process. The correctness and efficiency of the proposed rapid imaging algorithm are verified through simulation and actual measurement data. Experimental results show that compared to CPU parallel imaging algorithms, the acceleration ratio reaches 24.79, demonstrating excellent acceleration performance, which can meet the real-time signal processing requirements of SAS in miniaturized and lightweight signal processing units.