Beam Pattern Correction is applied to remove acoustic artifacts from the imagery caused by imperfections in the sonar. Beam pattern correction relies on a user-generated beam pattern file to identify and remove this effect.
Once the beam pattern file is created it can be applied to the survey data to uniformly correct the selected data. This also results in a more consistent appearance in imagery.
Some sonars use multiple modes or independently-steered sectors, each of which has its own imperfections. To compensate for this, the beam pattern file contains a separate set of corrections for each combination of mode and sector.
For consistent results with GeoCoder beam patterns, you should create your beam pattern file over an area of known sediment type and featureless an area as possible, preferably sand. For best results, it is recommended that a “patch test” be done during a survey over an area known to have such properties.
For consistent results with SIPS beam patterns, you should use as much data as possible to create the beam pattern.
Beam pattern correction can be applied during the creation of a mosaic, or in Side Scan Editor using the settings in the Properties window.