Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to sonar systems for a watercraft and, more particularly, to systems and associated methods for synchronizing sonar pings from multiple sonar transducer elements.
Sonar systems have been used to generate sonar pings into an underwater environment. However, many of these sonar systems only transmit sonar pings from one sonar transducer at a time. Attempts to transmit sonar pings using multiple sonar transducers simultaneously often creates issues with ping interference between transmitted sonar pings. This often restricts the ability to use multiple sonar transducers simultaneously.
In various embodiments, sonar pings may be transmitted from multiple separate sonar units simultaneously, and this may be done with reduced ping interference. Sonar pings may be provided in a synchronized fashion, and this may greatly reduce ping interference between sonar pings of different sonar units. By allowing for sonar pings to be transmitted with reduced ping interference, in some embodiments, sonar pings from separate sonar units may work together to create combined pings having more sonar information. For example, combined pings may provide a greater image quality for generated sonar images and/or a wider beam angle for sonar coverage.
A synchronization wire may be provided that may be connected to multiple sonar modules. The synchronization wire may assist in achieving synchronization in the sonar modules so that the sonar modules may cause sonar pings to be generated in a synchronized manner. Processing circuitry within each of the sonar modules may cause electrical current having a voltage to be output to the synchronization wire from the sonar module, with the output voltage level being dependent on whether or not the respective sonar module is ready to cause transmission of a sonar ping. The processing circuitry within each of the sonar modules may also receive and detect a synchronization voltage value from the synchronization wire. If the synchronization voltage value meets certain criteria (e.g. the synchronization voltage value is above a specified value), the processing circuitry in the various sonar modules may cause transmission of the sonar pings at the same time. However, if the synchronization voltage value does not meet the criteria (e.g. the synchronization voltage value is not above a specified value), the processing circuitry in the various sonar modules may prevent transmission of the sonar pings.
Various embodiments provided herein possess several potential advantages. First, embodiments enable transmission of sonar pings at the same time, providing a greater image quality for sonar images and/or a wider beam angle. By transmitting sonar pings in a synchronized fashion, the amount of ping interference is greatly reduced. Second, many embodiments have improved scalability. Processing circuitry may be provided in sonar modules, and the synchronization wire may be provided without its own independent processing circuitry. Thus, a large number of sonar modules may be added to the synchronization wire without requiring significant changes to the synchronization wire. Third, systems described herein may be easy to install, and additional sonar modules may be easily added to an existing system without significant changes.
In an example embodiment, a system for synchronizing sonar ping transmissions from multiple sonar transducer elements or arrays is provided. The system includes a first sonar module that is configured to control a first time of transmission of a first sonar ping from a first sonar transducer. The first sonar module has a first processing circuitry and a first memory including a first computer program code. The system also includes a second sonar module that is configured to control a second time of transmission of a second sonar ping from a second sonar transducer. The second sonar module has a second processing circuitry and a second memory including a second computer program code. The system also includes a synchronization wire connecting the first sonar module and the second sonar module. Furthermore, the first computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to perform various tasks. These tasks include causing a first voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the first sonar module is ready to transmit the first sonar ping; causing a second voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the first sonar module is not ready to transmit the first sonar ping; receiving a synchronization voltage value from the synchronization wire; determining whether the synchronization voltage value meets predefined criteria; and sending a first signal to a first sonar transducer upon determining that the synchronization voltage value meets the predefined criteria. The first signal is configured to cause transmission of the first sonar ping. Additionally, the second computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the second processing circuitry to perform various tasks. These various tasks include causing a third voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the second sonar module is ready to transmit the second sonar ping; causing a fourth voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the second sonar module is not ready to transmit the second sonar ping; receiving a synchronization voltage value from the synchronization wire; determining whether the synchronization voltage value meets the predefined criteria; and sending a second signal to a second sonar transducer upon determining that the synchronization voltage value meets the predefined criteria. The second signal is configured to cause transmission of the second sonar ping such that the transmission of the second sonar ping occurs at a same time as the transmission of the first sonar ping.
In some embodiments, the first sonar ping and the second sonar ping may provide continuous sonar beam coverage of an underwater environment. The first sonar ping may have a first beam angle, the second sonar ping may have a second beam angle, and the continuous sonar beam coverage may have an increased effective beam angle relative to each of the first beam angle and the second beam angle. In some embodiments, the first sonar ping and the second sonar ping may have overlapping coverage volumes to provide improved image quality.
In some embodiments, the first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to determine whether the synchronization voltage value exceeds a specified value. Additionally, the first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to cause transmission of the first sonar ping at a synchronized time upon determining that the synchronization voltage value exceeds the specified value.
In some embodiments, the first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to determine whether the synchronization voltage value is equal to a specified value. Additionally, the first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to cause transmission of the first sonar ping at a synchronized time upon determining that the synchronization voltage value is equal to the specified value.
In some embodiments, the first sonar module may also include a first control pin and a first sync circuit. The first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the first processing circuitry to cause the first voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the first sonar module is ready to transmit the first sonar ping by causing the first control pin to contact a portion of the first sync circuit to close the first sync circuit. Additionally, the first computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the second voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the first sonar module is not ready to transmit the first sonar ping by causing the first control pin to avoid contact with the first sync circuit so that the first sync circuit remains open. In some related embodiments, the first sonar module may also include a first sense pin that is configured to transfer electrical current between the synchronization wire and the first processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the first sync circuit may include a voltage source, and causing the first control pin to avoid contact with the first sync circuit may cause electrical current to flow to ground. In some embodiments, the first sync circuit may operate through open drain topology. Additionally, in some related embodiments, the first sync circuit may include a pull-up resistor.
In some embodiments, the second sonar module may include a second control pin and a second sync circuit. The second computer program code may be configured to, when executed, cause the second processing circuitry to cause the third voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the second sonar module is ready to transmit the second sonar ping by causing the second control pin to contact a portion of the second sync circuit to close the second sync circuit. The second computer program code may also be configured to, when executed, cause the fourth voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the second sonar module is not ready to transmit the second sonar ping by causing the second control pin to avoid contact with the second sync circuit so that the second sync circuit remains open.
In some embodiments, the first voltage level may be a non-zero voltage, and the second voltage level may be zero. Additionally, in some embodiments, the system may include three or more sonar modules, and the synchronization wire may connect each of the three or more sonar modules.
In another example embodiment, a synchronization wire is provided for synchronizing sonar ping transmissions from multiple sonar transducer elements or arrays. The synchronization wire includes a first connection point and a second connection point. The first connection point is configured to connect the synchronization wire to a first sonar module that is configured to control transmission of a first sonar ping from a first sonar transducer. The second connection point is configured to connect the synchronization wire to a second sonar module that is configured to control transmission of a second sonar ping from a second sonar transducer. The synchronization wire is configured to transfer electrical current from the first sonar module to the second sonar module, and the synchronization wire is configured to transfer electrical current from the second sonar module to the first sonar module. The synchronization wire is also configured to enable synchronization of the first sonar module and the second sonar module through the use of the electrical current.
In some embodiments, the synchronization wire may include three or more connection points. Each of the three or more connection points may be configured to connect the synchronization wire to each of three or more sonar modules. The synchronization wire may be configured to transfer electrical current between the three or more sonar modules. The synchronization wire may be configured to enable synchronization of the three or more sonar modules through the use of the electrical current.
In another example embodiment, a method is provided for synchronizing sonar ping transmissions from multiple sonar transducer elements or arrays. The method includes determining whether the first sonar module is ready to transmit a first sonar ping; causing a first voltage level to be output to a synchronization wire when the first sonar module is ready to transmit a first sonar ping; causing a second voltage level to be output to the synchronization wire when the first sonar module is not ready to transmit the first sonar ping, with the synchronization wire being configured to receive electrical current from a second sonar module; receiving a synchronization voltage value from the synchronization wire; determining the synchronization voltage value; determining whether the synchronization voltage value meets predefined criteria; and sending a signal to a sonar transducer upon determining that the synchronization voltage value meets the predefined criteria. The second sonar module is configured to cause transmission of a second sonar ping. The signal is configured to cause transmission of the first sonar ping such that the transmission of the first sonar ping occurs at a same time as the transmission of the second sonar ping.
In some embodiments, the first sonar ping and the second sonar ping may provide continuous sonar beam coverage of an underwater environment. The first sonar ping may have a first beam angle, the second sonar ping may have a second beam angle, and the continuous sonar beam coverage may have an increased effective beam angle relative to each of the first beam angle and the second beam angle. In some embodiments, the first sonar ping and the second sonar ping may have overlapping coverage volumes to provide improved image quality. Additionally, in some embodiments, the signal may be configured to cause transmission of the first sonar ping such that the transmission of the first sonar ping occurs simultaneously with transmission of at least two other sonar pings.
Additional example embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems, and computer program products associated with various embodiments described herein.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Example embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals generally refer to like elements throughout (except for the reference numerals used in
Depending on the configuration, the watercraft 100 may include a primary motor 105, which may be a main propulsion motor such as an outboard or inboard motor. Additionally, the watercraft 100 may include a trolling motor 108 configured to propel the watercraft 100 or maintain a position. The one or more transducer assemblies (e.g., 102a, 102b, and/or 102c) may be mounted in various positions and to various portions of the watercraft 100 and/or equipment associated with the watercraft 100. For example, the transducer assembly may be mounted proximate to the transom 106 of the watercraft 100, such as depicted by transducer assembly 102a. The transducer assembly may be mounted to the bottom or side of the hull 104 of the watercraft 100, such as depicted by transducer assembly 102b. The transducer assembly may be mounted to the trolling motor 108, such as depicted by transducer assembly 102c.
The watercraft 100 may also include one or more marine electronic devices 160, such as may be utilized by a user to interact with, view, or otherwise control various aspects of the various sonar systems described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the marine electronic device 160 is positioned proximate the helm (e.g., steering wheel) of the watercraft 100—although other places on the watercraft 100 are contemplated. Likewise, additionally or alternatively, a remote device (such as a user's mobile device) may include functionality of a marine electronic device.
The watercraft 100 may also comprise other components within the one or more marine electronic devices 160 or at the helm. In
In various embodiments described herein, a plurality of sonar modules may be synchronized so that sonar pings are transmitted at the same time.
Electrical current having a certain voltage level may be provided by the sonar modules 226 to the synchronization wire 230, with voltage provided as digital logic voltages in some embodiments. In some embodiments, each sonar module 226 may provide a first digital logic voltage level when the sonar module 226 is not ready to transmit, and each sonar module 226 may provide a second digital logic voltage level when the sonar module 226 is ready to transmit. The first digital logic voltage level may be zero volts in some embodiments, but other values may be used as well. Likewise, the second digital logic voltage level may be 1 volt in some embodiments, but other values may be used as well. Notably, an importance is a noticeable difference between the two digital logic voltage levels. In some embodiments, a relatively lower digital logic voltage level may be used to indicate when the sonar module 22 is not ready to transmit and a relatively higher digital logic voltage level may be used to indicate when the sonar module 22 is ready to transmit.
The sonar modules 226 may be configured to detect the voltage level at the synchronization wire 230. For example, the signal from the synchronization wire 230 may be received at processing circuitry 432 (see
The processing circuitry 432 and/or the sonar modules 226 may cause transmission of sonar pings in other ways. In some embodiments, the criteria used to determine whether or not to cause transmission of sonar pings may be whether or not the voltage level at the synchronization wire exceeds a certain value, whether or not the voltage level at the synchronization wire is equal to a specified value, etc. If the processing circuitry 432 determines that the voltage level received from the synchronization wire 230 does not meet the requisite criteria, then the processing circuitry 432 may cause a respective sonar module 226 to refrain from causing transmission of a sonar ping. Because the voltage will be the same for each processing circuitry, synchronization may be accomplished.
The synchronization wire 230 may be provided in a four-wire power connector in some embodiments, with the synchronization wire 230 being an existing blue wire on the four-wire power connector. A voltage level for electrical current flowing at the blue wire may be sufficiently high in some instances to permit appropriate signal propagation between units, which may be several feet apart in some embodiments.
Ping synchronization may synchronize two or more independent sonar modules so that the sonar modules cause the transmission of sonar pings at the same time. Examples of this are illustrated in
Looking first at the example in
In the example of
Looking now at the example in
While
At time B, at least one of the sonar modules is ready to transmit, but at least one other sonar module is not ready to transmit. Thus, at time B, the sonar modules may be in a state similar to the one illustrated in
At time C, each of the sonar modules are ready to transmit. Thus, at time C, the sonar modules may be in a state similar to the one illustrated in
The transmit signal may occur at various times once the sonar modules are ready to transmit, and
Various components in sonar modules work together with the synchronization wire to enable synchronization of sonar pings.
The processing circuitry 432 may effectively communicate the sync state of the sonar module 426 through the use of the control pin 434. This may be done by closing or opening an electrical circuit between the processing circuitry 432 and the sync circuit 438 using the control pin 434 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Furthermore, a sense pin 436 may be provided at the processing circuitry 432. The sense pin 436 may be configured to transfer electrical current between the synchronization wire 430 and the processing circuitry 432. Thus, the processing circuitry 432 may be able to determine the voltage level at the synchronization wire 430.
The first transducer array 552A is oriented with a facing direction (e.g., substantially straight down relative to the figure) so as to produce a first range of angles 556A and a second range of angles 556A′ (with a gap in between as discussed below with reference to
Looking now at
With further reference to
Without being bound by theory, a perhaps simplified explanation of this can be based on considering a single beam shape that is formed by a receipt event of the array. The beam shape is formed of a rather wide main beam lobe, along with at least one relatively small defined side lobe (e.g., the sonar beam 591) that extends outwardly therefrom. By operating at a fixed phase shift and ignoring the main beam lobe, the sonar return signals received within the side lobe can be determined. Further, changing the frequency causes a shifting of the direction of the side lobe among the range of angles (590 or 592). Since the side lobe is symmetrical about the main lobe, there are two ranges of angles that are symmetrical about the facing direction DFD of the emitting face of the transducer array 552.
Further information regarding beamforming, including frequency steered beamforming, can be found, for example, in the following: U.S. Pat. No. RE45,379, entitled “Frequency Division Beamforming for Sonar Arrays”; U.S. Pat. No. 10,114,119, entitled “Sonar Systems and Methods Using Interferometry and/or Beamforming for 3D Imaging”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,739,884, entitled “Systems and Associated Methods for Producing a 3D Sonar Image”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/382,639, published as U.S. Publication No. 2019/0265354, and entitled “Sonar Transducer Having Geometric Elements”; the contents of each hereby being incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the display 659 may be used to present multiple images simultaneously. For example,
The marine electronic device 760 may include processing circuitry 768, a memory 772, a communication interface 782, a user interface 776, a display 774, autopilot 770, and one or more sensors (e.g. position sensor 778, direction sensor 720, other sensors 780). One or more of the components of the marine electronic device 760 may be located within a housing, or they may be separated into different housings (e.g., be remotely located).
The processing circuitry 768 may be any means configured to execute various programmed operations or instructions stored in a memory device (e.g., memory 772) such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance with software or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software (e.g. a processor operating under software control or the processor embodied as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) specifically configured to perform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof) thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the corresponding functions of the processing circuitry 768 as described herein. For example, the processing circuitry 768 may be configured to analyze sonar return data for various features/functions described herein (e.g., generate a sonar image, determine an object and/or object position, etc.). One or more microprocessors, controllers, microcontrollers, servers, computers, etc. may serve as processing circuitry in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 768 may be further configured to implement signal processing. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 768 may be configured to perform enhancement features to improve the display characteristics of data or images, collect or process additional data. The processing circuitry 768 may further implement notices and alarms, such as those determined or adjusted by a user.
In some embodiments, the memory 772 may include one or more non-transitory storage or memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory 772 may be configured to store instructions, computer program code, sonar data, and additional data such as radar data, chart data, location/position data in a non-transitory computer readable medium for use, such as by the processing circuitry 768 for enabling the marine electronic device 760 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory 772 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry 768. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 772 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 768.
In some embodiments, computer program code may be provided, and this may be provided in memory 772 in some embodiments. Computer program code may be configured to cause the processing circuitry 768 to take certain actions. For example, the computer program code may cause the processing circuitry 768 to perform the method 800 illustrated in
The communication interface 782 may be configured to enable communication to external systems (e.g. via an external network 784). In this manner, the marine electronic device 760 may retrieve stored data from a remote device 786 via the external network 784 in addition to or as an alternative to the onboard memory 772. Additionally or alternatively, the marine electronic device 760 may transmit or receive data, such as sonar signal data, sonar return data, sonar image data, or the like to or from transducer assemblies 702A, 702B, 702N. In some embodiments, the marine electronic device 760 may also be configured to communicate with other devices or systems (such as through the external network 784 or through other communication networks, such as described herein). For example, the marine electronic device 760 may communicate with a propulsion system of the watercraft 100 (e.g., for autopilot control); a remote device (e.g., a user's mobile device, a handheld remote, etc.); or another system. Using the external network 784, the marine electronic device may communicate with and send and receive data with external sources such as a cloud, server, etc. The marine electronic device 760 may send and receive various types of data. For example, the marine electronic device 760 may receive weather data, data from other fish locator applications, alert data, among others. However, this data is not required to be communicated using external network 784, and the data may instead be communicated using other approaches, such as through a physical or wireless connection via the communications interface 782.
The communications interface 782 of the marine electronic device 760 may also include one or more communications modules configured to communicate with one another in any of a number of different manners including, for example, via a network. In this regard, the communications interface 782 may include any of a number of different communication backbones or frameworks including, for example, Ethernet, the NMEA 2000 framework, GPS, cellular, Wi-Fi, or other suitable networks. The network may also support other data sources, including GPS, autopilot 770, engine data, compass, radar, etc. In this regard, numerous other peripheral devices (including other marine electronic devices or sonar transducer assemblies) may be included in the system 764.
The position sensor 778 may be configured to determine the current position and/or location of the marine electronic device 760 (and/or the watercraft 100). For example, the position sensor 778 may comprise a GPS, bottom contour, inertial navigation system, such as machined electromagnetic sensor (MEMS), a ring laser gyroscope, or other location detection system. Alternatively or in addition to determining the location of the marine electronic device 760 or the watercraft 100, the position sensor 778 may also be configured to determine the position and/or orientation of an object outside of the watercraft 100.
The display 774 (e.g. one or more screens) may be configured to present images and may include or otherwise be in communication with a user interface 776 configured to receive input from a user. The display 774 may be, for example, a conventional LCD (liquid crystal display), a touch screen display, mobile device, or any other suitable display known in the art upon which images may be displayed.
In some embodiments, the display 774 may present one or more sets of data (or images generated from the one or more sets of data). Such data includes, for example, chart data, radar data, sonar data, weather data, location data, position data, orientation data, sonar data, or any other type of information relevant to the watercraft 100. Sonar data may be received from one or more transducer arrays 767 or from sonar devices positioned at other locations, such as remote from the watercraft. Additional data may be received from marine devices such as a radar 716, a primary motor 705 or an associated sensor, a trolling motor 708 or an associated sensor, rudder 710, an autopilot 770, a position sensor 778, a direction sensor 720, other sensors 780, a remote device 786, onboard memory 772 (e.g., stored chart data, historical data, etc.), or other devices.
In some further embodiments, various sets of data, referred to above, may be superimposed or overlaid onto one another and presented on the display 774. For example, a route may be applied to (or overlaid onto) a chart (e.g. a map or navigational chart). Additionally or alternatively, depth information, weather information, radar information, sonar information, or any other navigation system inputs may be applied to one another.
The user interface 776 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, function keys, mouse, scrolling device, input/output ports, touch screen, or any other mechanism by which a user may interface with the system.
Although the display 774 of
The marine electronic device 760 may include one or more other sensors/devices 780, such as configured to measure or sense various other conditions. The other sensors/devices 780 may include, for example, an air temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, a current sensor, a light sensor, a wind sensor, a speed sensor, or the like.
The transducer assemblies 702A, 702B, 702N illustrated in
The transducer assemblies 702A, 702B, 702N may include one or more other systems, such as various sensor(s) 766. For example, the transducer assemblies 702A, 702B, 702N may include an orientation sensor, such as gyroscope or other orientation sensor (e.g., accelerometer, MEMS, direction, etc.) that can be configured to determine the relative orientation and/or direction of the transducer assemblies 702A, 702B, 702N and/or the one or more sonar transducer array(s) and/or element(s) 767—such as with respect to the watercraft. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, other types of sensor(s) are contemplated, such as, for example, a water temperature sensor, a current sensor, a light sensor, a wind sensor, a speed sensor, or the like. Each transducer assembly may also include a sonar module 726 having a sync circuit 738. Sonar modules 726 of
The components presented in
After operation 804 or operation 806 has been performed, the method 800 may proceed to operation 808. At operation 808, a synchronization voltage value may be received, and this may be received from a synchronization wire in some embodiments. This synchronization voltage value may be provided as a digital logic voltage level in some embodiments.
At operation 810, a determination may be made to see whether or not the synchronization voltage value meets certain criteria. If the answer is yes and the synchronization voltage value meets the criteria, then the method 800 may proceed to operation 812. If the answer is no and the synchronization voltage value does not meet the criteria, then the method 800 may proceed to operation 814. As noted above, the criteria may be whether the synchronization voltage value exceeds a predefined voltage level. However, other criteria may be used. For example, the criteria may be to see if the synchronization voltage value is equal to the predefined voltage level in some embodiments.
At operation 812, a signal is sent to the sonar transducer to cause transmission of a sonar ping. At operation 814, the method includes refraining from sending any signal to cause transmission of a sonar ping. However, in some embodiments, the method includes sending a signal at operation 814 to cause the sonar transducer to refrain from transmitting a sonar ping.
The method 800 illustrated in
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20230400570 A1 | Dec 2023 | US |