Image processing techniques for underwater acoustic image enhancement

Underwater acoustic images are often dominated by noise, which obscures signals of interest. When the spatial character of the noise differs from that of the signal, image processing techniques can be employed to enhance the image. In underwater acoustic time‐bearing displays, the signals of interest form continuous tracks, while noise often takes on the form of isolated speckle. In this case, a speckle suppression technique related to the Hough transform can be used to reduce the noise and enhance the tracks. The presentation will include a discussion of variations of the technique that are under consideration, as well as considerations of optimum values for the input parameters.