Triton Isis - Manual (Page 17)

June 2004 Isis® Sonar User's Manual, Volume 1 3
1.2 Theory of Isis Operation
The early data acquisition and image processing efforts at Triton focused on
side-scan sonar imagery. Significant advances were made in the acquisition and
processing of side-scan sonar data. These advances have drastically improved
the resolution of data acquired with Triton Elics’s systems and eased
interpretation of these data.
1.2.1 Background
Triton set out in 1984 to provide a color video display to image sonar data in
up to 256 colors, matching the 48 dB dynamic range of most side-scan
sonars. Triton’s first color display system was called SMIPS. Even though
SMIPS only produced 16 colors, the colors were much more easily
distinguished than shades of gray. When Triton introduced Q-MIPS in 1988,
Q-MIPS provided a full 256-color display and many user-selectable color
look-up tables (LUTs).
The power and flexibility of the color displays encouraged Triton to add
many image processing features to Q-MIPS similar to those used in other
image processing systems that focus on optical and radar imagery from
satellites. Q-MIPS was a full-functioned, data collection system employing
advanced tools for image analysis. Some of the features that have made
Q-MIPS unique as a data acquisition system are:
• oversampling with user control over downsampling methods
• preservation of dynamic range
• data fusion
• beam pattern and grazing angle compensation
• geocoding
• flexible mass storage
• hardcopy output
Q-MIPS also served as the basis for other advanced sonar imaging
products that have attacked the traditional distortions present in side-scan
images.
Chapter 1: Isis Overview