Integration and Evaluation of a Next-Generation Chirp-Style Sidescan Sonar on the REMUS 100

“Chirp”-style sidescan sonar systems, which use pulse-compressed signals, provide advantages over pulsed continuous-wave sidescan sonar systems, including increased imaging range, resolution, and image fidelity. Marine Sonics (Yorktown, VA) has recently released a system, the “Arc Scout”, using modern electronics in a form factor suitable for installation on small autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). A number of these systems have been integrated into REMUS 100 AUVs, and their performance imaging archaeological targets on the seabed has been evaluated. Targets were surveyed under a variety of conditions at four different sonar center frequencies: 600 kHz, 900 kHz, 1200 kHz, and 1800 kHz. The results were analyzed to provide performance assessments for selecting the sonar operating characteristics based on area search rate and target size. The hardware and software integration required for the retrofit installation of these sonar systems the REMUS 100 vehicle is detailed.