Research on the Optimization of Multibeam Bathymetric Survey Line Arrangement Based on Multimodal and Clustering Techniques

Abstract

Currently, there is limited research on the survey line arrangement for multibeam bathymetric technology in the marine surveying field. This study aims to propose a more cost-effective and efficient survey line arrangement for multibeam bathymetric technology, providing stronger theoretical and practical support for the relevant field. Assuming an ideal scenario where the seafloor is a flat slope, this study, based on computational geometry, establishes five survey line models. It plans the survey line arrangement reasonably, calculating the number of survey lines, their lengths, overlap rates, and omission rates, achieving multimodal universality of the model. In addition, hypothetical situations are constructed for computational comparisons. Subsequently, a set of real seafloor surface parameters were selected for discussion. The seafloor slope was first clustered and the slope was calculated using the central difference method. The sea area was then gridded, and using clustering techniques and sensitivity tests on the slope, effective clustering of the seafloor was achieved. Finally, comprehensive solutions were sought for each partitioned area, combined with the multimodal survey line model. Therefore, based on multimodal and clustering techniques, this study provides an effective survey line design method for multibeam transducer technology in marine surveying. The proposed line arrangement model and computational scheme provide strong theoretical and practical guidance for further applications of marine depth measurement technology.