A split beam refers to a specific type of sonar technology characterized by the unique shape of its emitted sound waves.
Understanding Split-Beam Technology
As its name suggests, the split-beam technology utilizes sound waves that form a distinctive "x shape". Unlike simpler sonar systems that emit a single beam, the split-beam transducer splits the transmitted pulse into two halves that overlap.
How the 'X' Shape Provides Detail
The key advantage of this crossed-over, or "x", shape is its ability to precisely track the location of an object within the sound beam. By analyzing the differences in how the sound returns to the two halves of the transducer, the system can determine not only the distance to the object but also its exact position laterally and vertically within the beam.
Split-Beam vs. Single Beam Sonar
This capability to pinpoint an object's exact location provides significantly more detail compared to other single beam sonars, which can only tell you the distance to an object within the beam's footprint but not its specific position within that footprint. This makes split-beam sonar valuable for applications requiring precise object tracking and size estimation, such as fish stock assessment.
