Live sonar systems and methods
A system for generating live sonar images is provided having a first and second sonar transducer assembly. The sonar transducer assemblies each have sonar transducer elements configured to transmit sonar beam(s) into an underwater environment to form respective coverage volumes. The sonar transducer assemblies each define a respective facing direction. The system includes bracket(s) having alignment feature(s). The bracket(s) are configured to mount the sonar transducer assemblies to a watercraft, and the alignment feature(s) are configured to position the sonar transducer assemblies so that the facing directions are different and relative to each other so as to create continuous coverage of the underwater environment. Continuous coverage has an overall coverage volume that is greater than either of the coverage volumes individually. Sonar return data from the sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.
1. A system for generating live sonar images, the system comprising:
a first sonar transducer assembly having a first plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly defines a first facing direction, wherein the first plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more first sonar beams into an underwater environment to form a first coverage volume within the underwater environment;
a second sonar transducer assembly having a second plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the second sonar transducer assembly defines a second facing direction, wherein the second plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more second sonar beams into the underwater environment to form a second coverage volume within the underwater environment, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly is distinct from the second sonar transducer assembly; and
a first bracket having one or more alignment features, wherein the first bracket is configured to mount both the first sonar transducer assembly and the second transducer assembly to a watercraft, wherein the one or more alignment features are configured to position the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly so that the first facing direction and the second facing direction are different and relative to each other so as to create continuous coverage of the underwater environment, wherein the continuous coverage has an overall coverage volume that is greater than either of the first coverage volume or the second coverage volume individually;
wherein the first facing direction and the second facing direction are generally outward of the watercraft, wherein sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
at least one processor configured to:
receive first sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and second sonar return data from the second plurality of sonar transducer elements; and
generate the live sonar image based on the first sonar return data and the second sonar return data.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket includes a first arm, a second arm, and a connecting arm, wherein the connecting arm connects the first arm and the second arm, wherein the first arm is configured to mount the first sonar transducer assembly, wherein the second arm is configured to mount the second sonar transducer assembly.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first arm is connected to the connecting arm at a first end of the connecting arm, wherein the second arm is connected to the connecting arm at a second end of the connecting arm, wherein the connecting arm extends in a lengthwise direction from the first end to the second end, wherein the first arm possesses a slope that is angularly offset from the lengthwise direction.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the first bracket is oriented such that the lengthwise direction is a vertical direction, wherein the slope causes the first sonar transducer assembly to be rotated at a downward angle relative to a horizontal direction when mounted on the first arm.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the connecting arm defines a first surface, wherein the first arm extends at a first angle that is angularly offset from the first surface, wherein the second arm extends at a second angle that is angularly offset from the first surface.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first angle is angularly offset from the first surface in a first direction, wherein the second angle is angularly offset from the first surface in a second direction that is the opposite of the first direction.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein extension of the first arm at the first angle and extension of the second arm at the second angle reduces an overall footprint of the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly when the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly are mounted on the first bracket.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a clamp defining an internal volume, wherein the clamp is configured to be attached to an object by receiving the object in the internal volume,
wherein the clamp is configured to be attached to the first bracket to assist in attaching the first bracket to the object, wherein a connecting arm of the first bracket is offset by some distance from a center point of the internal volume when the first bracket is attached to the clamp.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first bracket is attachable to at least one of a pole, a trolling motor, a primary motor, or a hull of the watercraft.
11. A system for generating live sonar images, the system comprising:
a first sonar transducer assembly having a first plurality of arrays of a first plurality of sonar transducer elements associated with a watercraft on a body of water and oriented with an emitting face in a first facing direction, wherein the first facing direction is generally outward of the watercraft, and
a second sonar transducer assembly having a second plurality of arrays of a second plurality of sonar transducer elements associated with the watercraft and oriented with an emitting face in a second facing direction, wherein the second facing direction is generally outward of the watercraft and different from the first facing direction, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly is distinct from the second sonar transducer assembly,
wherein the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit sonar beams into an underwater environment to form an overall coverage volume with a continuous horizontal coverage angle, wherein the continuous horizontal coverage angle defines an angle that is greater than or equal to 180 degrees,
wherein sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one processor configured to:
receive the sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements; and
generate the live sonar image of the underwater environment based on the sonar return data.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the horizontal coverage angle defines an angle that is at least 270 degrees.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the horizontal coverage angle defines an angle that is at least 360 degrees.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a third sonar transducer assembly having a third facing direction, wherein the first facing direction, the second facing direction, and the third facing direction are different, wherein the sonar return data is used to generate a 360 degree live sonar image.
16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket is configured to mount the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly, wherein the second bracket is configured to mount the third sonar transducer assembly.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one sonar transducer assembly further comprises a fourth sonar transducer assembly, wherein the second bracket is configured to mount the third sonar transducer assembly and the fourth sonar transducer assembly.
18. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
a display;
at least one processor;
a memory including computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:
cause the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements to transmit the sonar beams into the underwater environment;
receive the sonar return data;
generate the live sonar image of the underwater environment based on the sonar return data, wherein the live sonar image is a two-dimensional live sonar image that is formed of the sonar return data, and wherein the sonar return data used to form the live sonar image was received at substantially a same time by the plurality of sonar transducer elements; and
cause, on the display, presentation of the live sonar image.
19. A bracket for positioning sonar transducer assemblies, the bracket comprising:
a first arm having a first alignment feature,
a second arm having a second alignment feature, and
a connecting arm,
wherein the connecting arm connects the first arm and the second arm, wherein the connecting arm extends in a lengthwise direction between a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is connected to the connecting arm at the first end, wherein the second arm is connected to the connecting arm at the second end, wherein the first alignment feature is configured to receive a first sonar transducer assembly and aim the first sonar transducer assembly in a first facing direction, wherein the second alignment feature is configured to receive a second sonar transducer assembly and aim the second sonar transducer assembly in a second facing direction, wherein the bracket is configured to position the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly such that the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly together provide an overall coverage volume with a horizontal coverage angle of greater than 140 degrees.
20. A system for generating live sonar images, the system comprising:
a first sonar transducer assembly having a first plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly defines a first facing direction, wherein the first plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more first sonar beams into an underwater environment to form a first coverage volume within the underwater environment;
a second sonar transducer assembly having a second plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the second sonar transducer assembly defines a second facing direction, wherein the second plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more second sonar beams into the underwater environment to form a second coverage volume within the underwater environment; and
at least one bracket having one or more alignment features, wherein the at least one bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket is configured to mount the first sonar transducer assembly to a watercraft, wherein the second bracket is configured to mount the second sonar transducer assembly to the watercraft, wherein the one or more alignment features are configured to position the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly so that the first facing direction and the second facing direction are different and relative to each other so as to create continuous coverage of the underwater environment, wherein the continuous coverage has an overall coverage volume that is greater than either of the first coverage volume or the second coverage volume individually; wherein the first facing direction and the second facing direction are generally outward of the watercraft, wherein sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.