TruePix®versus Side Scan Sonar

TruePix® is a technical mode exclusively available on all Sonic®-V Series systems. The main advantages of using this technology over side scan sonar include:

• Accurate geolocation: TruePix® provides precise spatial positioning for each pixel of imagery, as the sonar’s position is tightly coupled with GNSS/INS sensors on the vessel. This enables centimeter-level geo-referencing of detected features, whereas side scan sonar is more prone to slant-range errors and layback uncertainties
• Simultaneous bathymetry and imagery: TruePix® collects both high-resolution bathymetry and backscatter imagery in a single run, maximizing survey efficiency. Side scan sonar provides mainly imagery, requiring additional equipment or passes to acquire depth/bathymetry data
• Water column data: TruePix® captures compact water column information, allowing detection and analysis of targets suspended in the water (large objects, gas plumes etc.), a feature not available with conventional side scan sonar
• Uniform data quality and simpler processing: TruePix® creates uniform quality records with one sample per range bin per side, reducing file sizes and simplifying data handling compared to side scan data, which often contains overlapping records that require additional processing
• High coverage rates: MBES systems sweep wide swaths, enabling faster and more complete area coverage than most towed side scan systems—this is particularly valuable for large or time-sensitive surveys
• Superior performance in shallow and complex environments: Thanks to sophisticated beam-focusing, MBES with TruePix® can maintain accurate mapping and feature detection in shallow and complex terrain, where side scan may suffer from multipath interference, poor shadow contrast, or geo-referencing issues
• Versatility: TruePix® can be easily enabled for multi-mission surveys, and it supports multispectral and pipeline inspection modes, enhancing its utility for characterization of the seafloor and infrastructure monitoring

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MBES   Sonic-V Series   Technical Modes   TruePix