Hydrographic Data Processing Course Overview

Hydrographic Data Processing

• Course offered during Winter Semester 24/25
• Instructors: Ellen Heffner, M.Sc. & Annika L. Walter, M.Sc.
• Offered by HafenCity University Hamburg

Semester Schedule

• Detailed schedule outlining weekly topics, dates, times, and rooms for Hydrographic Data Processing (HDP) classes

• Covers various topics, including general HDP, sound velocity, individual computer time, scientific writing, MBES processing, quality control, product creation, and backscatter processing, among others

• Topics include introduction to hydrography, history, principles of SBES, MBES system configuration, error budgets, IHO standards, tides, chart datum, reference systems, survey operations, navigation, positioning, system configurations, numerical exercises

• Classes are held in various rooms (e.g., 3.103, 3.103, 3.103, 3.109), and some are online

• Specific dates and times given for each session

Agenda Lecture 1

• Focuses on Single beam processing and Sound Velocity Profiles
• Covers the introduction to data processing, accuracy, precision, uncertainty, standard deviation, single beam processing, sound velocity profiles, bar check
• Includes practical exercises using CARIS HIPS & SIPS tools and Excel for SVP Plots and Bar Check

Definition of Hydrography

• Hydrography is a branch of surveying and geoinformation
• It investigates surface waters, collects related data, and aims to expand knowledge for responsible and safe use, and habitat protection.
• The work is divided into three main fields: surveying and recording, processing in information systems and analysis, and visualization on charts and in information systems for informing about the waters.

Object of Investigation of Hydrography

• Defines the scope of hydrographic studies concerning water limits, coastal zones, traffic situations, waves, water levels, water surface heights, water column parameters (temperature, salinity), water depths, water quality, currents, bottom structure, and natural/artificial objects in/on the water.

Hydrographic Surveying

• Procedures for hydrographic survey specifications, planning with considerations about data, platforms, systems, constraints, existing information, data gathering, processing, analysis, quality, and production of data, including digital or analogous formats (e.g., charts)

Data Processing Software

• Lists proprietary commercial softwares for data processing, including: QPS, Qinsy, Qimera, FMGT, FM Midwater, CARIS HIPS, SIPS, Hypack, BeamworX, and more.

Requirements for Data Processing Software

• Emphasizes the need for software to handle raw data types, remove errors, reference depths to established datums, and provide helpful visualization tools for data cleaning and analysis, including digital terrain models, contours, and quality information.

Data Types/File Formats

• Outlines different types of data (e.g., Position, Heading, Sound Velocity, Water Depth, Roll, Pitch, Yaw) and file formats used in hydrographic data processing (e.g., NMEA string, * .vdp, etc.)

File Formats (XTF)

• Discusses XTF (e.g., Extended Triton Format), a common standard for sonar data exchange
• Shows how sensor data (e.g., attitude, navigation, bathymetry) are stored in XTF packages.

Accuracy, Uncertainty and Precision

• Explains the concepts of accuracy, precision, and trueness in relation to measurement data.
• Shows diagram illustrating the relation of these concepts

Standard Deviation

• Defines standard deviation, variance, population variance, sample variance, mean and other relevant mathematical concepts using equations.
  • Provides both theoretical and empirical calculations.
  • Explains why standard deviation is important in data analysis.
  • Includes examples to illustrate concepts.

Confidence Intervals

• Expands on the concept of confidence intervals and their relevance to data analysis using normal distribution graphical and numerical depictions.

Practical Exercises

• Provides details for multiple practical exercises including those for single beam processing, sound velocity profiles, and bar check, which utilize CARIS HIPS & SIPS and Excel for dataset analysis.

Single Beam Echo Sounder

• Covers single beam echo sounders including their basic characteristics, frequency characteristics, applications (e.g., depth measurements, fishing, seafloor classification, navigation, sub-bottom profilers), and different types of transducers
• Explains differences in narrow and wide beams with diagrams, as well as details on data processing with CARIS HIPS and SIPS, including pre-cleaning procedures. Describes validation steps for single beam data and data processing techniques.
• Explains merging of raw data into 3D coordinates, details on the creation of a Gridded Surface, use of tools like GeoTiff, and the role of a HIPS Vessel File.

Sound Velocity Profile

• Discusses how sound velocity profiles (SVP) are determined and their significance (e.g., correcting depth errors).
  • Describes the role of pressure, transducers, and reflectors in measuring Sound Velocity.
  • Explains how the SVP is crucial in depth calculations and is important in multibeam echo sounders.
  • Discusses the use of the SVP in a bar check.
  • Covers relevant sensors (e.g., conductivity, temperature, depth) and settings needed.

Bar Check

• Describes the principle, process, and relevant calculations for a bar check (e.g., measuring distances, calculating velocities).
  • Presents diagrams depicting the methodology.
  • Shows how to determine the speed of sound and transducer immersion depth, and how to form the equation relating to scale and zero error.

References

• Includes references in a numbered format, covering relevant organizations, authors, and publications on hydrography, Data Processing Software, mathematical formulae and procedures.

Explore the Hydrographic Data Processing course offered during the Winter Semester 24/25 at HafenCity University Hamburg. This course covers essential topics such as sound velocity, survey operations, and scientific writing, aiming to equip students with the necessary skills for hydrographic data analysis and processing. Detailed semester schedule and class locations are included.