MB-Office™

MB-Office™ is a powerful bathymetry processing package designed for the challenges of modern multibeam surveys. MB-Office™ offers the flexibility of producing grid, contour and sounding files to any user-defined specification while keeping the processing-to-collection ratio to a minimum. It is the result of years cooperation between Triton hydrographers and industry surveyors.

Automated Processing

MB-Office™ gives the operator control over processing. Bathymetry data can be processed automatically or interactively. In automated mode, the operator chooses processing parameters to edit and tag unacceptable data points. MB-Office™’s automated processing is very fast: A typical eight hour survey day can be processed in under one hour. Line files can be processed in batch mode, or selected portions of a line can be specified based on ping range.

Interactive Bathymetry Processing

In interactive mode, the operator can review each sounding or each data value from ancillary sensors (pitch, roll, heave, heading.) This process allows for each swath to be viewed, compared and analyzed. Data points filtered in automated mode may be shown or hidden when editing manually. The resulting data set, the grid, sounding or contour file, uses only the soundings that meet a minimum quality level.

Tools: Three-dimensional BathyEdit

MB-Office™ now delivers ultimate data analysis with editing in a three-dimensional environment. With the ability to rotate the data and illuminate the model, subtle artifacts become visible. Any dubious points can be easily flagged. The operator may select single points or entire areas with the mouse, query the data for information, and eliminate points from the final data set. Automated processing will re-compute surrounding areas, and rebuild the contours, sounding charts, and grid files.

Tools: Data Decimation

MB-Office™ offers options for thinning excessively dense multibeam data sets.

Tools: Calibration & Patch Test

MB-Office™ includes an advanced tool for determining offsets to compensate for biases and latencies present in an integrated multibeam system. The patch test will automatically compute optimal offset values from a set of overlapping survey lines using either bathymetry or (for greater accuracy) sidescan data.

Processing Options

When processing data, the raw file remains unmodified, allowing for re-processing with different parameters. A database is built for points that have been flagged during processing, allowing the user to re-evaluate suspect points. Filters that can be applied to the soundings include:

• Beam Quality
• Angle from vertical
• Beam number
• Depth Range
• Gradient
• Slant range

Charts & Maps

In addition to building a DTM, MB-Office™ can compute iso-contours or produce a traditional soundings chart in DXF or ASCII format. Volume computations are also available. The operator has full control over the parameters to produce any type of map.