DEBLURRING OF GLORIA SIDE-SCAN SONAR IMAGES

In side-scan sonars such as GLORIA, along-track resolution is usually much worse than across-track resolution. This paper shows how along-track resolution may be improved by the application of an image restoration (deblurring) technique known as the Jansson-van Cittert method. Employing a model of the image formation process, this involves iterated convolution of the estimated deblurred image radiances with the theoretical along-track point spread function. The method and its implementation for GLORIA images are described. Smoothing of high frequency noise prior to restoration has been found to lead to an improved end-product. The restored images exhibit sharper edges and a greater clarity much appreciated by the interpreter. This visual impression is borne out by quantitative measurement. The technique is shown to be a useful adjunct to the battery of digital preprocessing techniques which can be applied to the sonar image prior to the information extraction stage.