Application of 13 MHz SeaSonde Systems for Vessel Detection

Mike Smith1, Hugh Roarty1, John Kerfoot1, Josh Kohut1, Scott Glenn1, James Isaacson2, Don Barrick2, Hector Aguilar2
1
Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, 2Codar Ocean Sensors,. Inc.

Introduction IIR 256/6

In addition to surface current mapping, CODAR SeaSonde systems may be CSR Experiment - Results Monostatic Bistatic
used in the detection of vessels. The SeaSonde software already detects
ships to remove their signature from the data to avoid contamination of the
surface current product. Here, we present work that we have done to improve
these detections as we move toward a real-time detection system.
Specifically, we discuss a case study using the Y/M Los Angles outside of
New York Harbor, bistatic detections, and our new, real-time interface.

CSR Experiment
November 9, 2009
4a) 4b) 6a) 6b)
Y/M Los Angeles
•Figure 4a:
•Figure 6a: Monostatic Match Result – The red circle shows a time
• Left Column – Pepper Points per minute for every FFT and period where we were not able to detect the vessel.
threshold •Figure 6b: Bistatic Match Result – The red circle on the left displays
• Right Column – Detection Rates for every FFT and threshold the area that was not detected by Monostatic in Figure 6a. The circle
• Figure 4b: Median Sensitivity Study - Varying number of on the right displays an area that is visible in monostatic range cells
Doppler bins and sizes yields different results. In this test, best but not in bistatic.
detection rates were from a window 5 range cells and 7 Doppler
cells wide.
1a) 1b)
•Figure 1a: Vessels of Opportunity – Range, Radial Velocity, Bearing
Real-Time Vessel Detection
•Figure 1b: Vessels of Opportunity – Map Monostatic vs. Bistatic Detections • Real-Time software written in C code has been developed by Codar
Bistatic Vessel Detection has been implemented at our BRNT site. Ocean Sensors.
IIR Median Results showed that bistatic detections can be advantageous in certain • First implementation of the software was at SEAB located in Sea
situations. The tug boat, “Dace Reinauer,” was detected in this study. Bright, NJ on April 5th, 2011.
• Real-time visualization is accomplished via a stand-alone MATLAB
Monostatic plotting GUI.
IIR Median

2a) 2b)

•A pepper plot contains all signal peaks above a certain threshold (dB). Here,
each signal peak is colored and sized by SNR on the monopole
•Figure 2a: Best scenario for IIR, time averaged, filter. 5a) 5b)

•Figure 2b: Best scenario for Median, Range and Doppler averaged, filter.

Bistatic
Future Goals:
•Implement Real-Time Bistatic Detection in the summer of 2011
between Sea Bright, NJ and Belmar, NJ 13 MHz SeaSonde sites.

Acknowledgement. “This material is based upon work

3a) 3b)
•With the Median filter, the Los Angles was able to be detected 58% of the
time compared with AIS data. This represents the best case scenario.
•Figure 3a: Y/M Los Angeles – Range, Radial Velocity, Bearing
•Figure 3b: Y/M Los Angeles – Vessel points overlayed on AIS track
supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Grant
5c) 5d) Award Number 2008.ST-061-ML0001.”
Disclaimer. “The views and conclusions contained in this
•Figure 5a and 5b: Monostatic Pepper plots using IIR 256/6 and Median document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as
256/8 necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or
•Figure 5c and 5d: Bistatic Pepper plots using IIR 256/6 and Median implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
256/8