The Joint Hydrographic Center

and the Center for Coastal

and Ocean Mapping

Research and Education in

Hydrography and Ocean Mapping

Andy Armstrong
 Complementary Centers
 NOAA/UNH Joint Hydrographic
Center (JHC)
– A Government and University
Organization

 UNH Center for Coastal and Ocean

Mapping (C-COM)
– Provides for Private Sector
Participation
Organizational Structure

JHC
NOAA UNH
Organizational Structure

JHC
NOAA UNH Others

CCOM
 Funding Sources

 NOAA Grants
 USGS Grants
 NRL Grants
 NSF Grants
 University Funds
 Private Sector Partners
 Faculty and Government

 Larry Mayer--UNH Co-Director

 Colin Ware
 Lee Alexander
 Open position in signal processing
 Andy Armstrong--NOAA Co-Director
 Lloyd Huff
 Jim Gardner--USGS
 Research Scientists

 Yuri Rhzanov
 Brian Calder
 Semme Dijkstra
 Martin Jakobsson
 Tianhang Hou
 Roland Arsenault
 Students

 4 Ocean Engineering PhD

 2 Computer Science PhD
 2 Earth Science PhD
 1 Ocean Engineering MS
 JHC Advisory Board
 Assistant Administrator, NOS
– Director Coast Survey
– Chief Scientist
 Representative of the Oceanographer of the Navy
 Representative of the Office of Naval Research
 Representative of the U.S. Geological Survey
 Dominion Hydrographer, CHS
 Dean of the Graduate School, UNH
 Vice President of Research and Public Service, UNH
 JHC Co-Directors (ex officio)
 CICEET Co-Directors (ex-officio)
 Private Sector Partners

 Cable Laying
 Sonar Manufacturing
 Hydrographic Surveying
 Electronic Charting
 Survey/Mapping Software
 Ocean Instrumentation
Our New Facility—Jan 00
Acoustic Test Tank
 Center Goals

 To be a leader in the development

of hydrographic & ocean mapping
technologies and approaches

 To expand the scope of ocean

mapping clients and
constituencies

 To educate a new generation of

hydrographers and ocean mappers
 Research Themes

 Sonar Design and Signal Processing

 Multibeam Sonar Data Processing
 Data Visualization and Presentation
 Seafloor Characterization
 Data Mining, Blending, and Fusion
 Marine Navigation Support
 Research Themes

 Sonar Design and Signal Processing

– Improved interferometry
– Improved beam forming
– Target detection algorithms
– Sonar image mosaicing
– Seafloor/sonar modeling
 Research Themes

 Multibeam sonar data processing

– Statistically valid
– Visualization
– Area based
– Sound hydrographic practice
 Research Themes

 Data Visualization and Presentation

– 3D techniques
– Multiple co-referenced data sets
– Fly-throughs
– Texture mapping
– Human interaction
– Public outreach
 Research Themes

 Seafloor Characterization
– Single beam echo sounders
– Side scan sonar
– Multibeam sonar
– Interferometric sonar
– Laser line scanner and video
– Seafloor modeling
Beams 8 to 25 Beams 25 to 43

Beams 44 to 62 Beams 8 to 62
 Research Themes

 Data Mining, Blending, and Fusion

– Different sources
– Different density
– Different accuracy
– Different times
 Research Themes

 Marine Navigation Support

– Real time under keel clearance
– Electronic charting
– Economic study
 Education Philosophy

The program will be designed to provide students with

the essential fundamentals of hydrographic surveying
as well as introducing them to state-of-the-art survey
techniques and data processing methods.

We believe that the best way to do this is to ensure that

the training component is intimately connected (both
physically and spiritually) with leading edge research
programs.
 Educational Programs
 M.S. and Ph.D.
– Two tracks:
• Ocean Engineering
• Earth Sciences/Oceanography
– Seeking FIG/IHO Cat A Status

 Undergraduate Courses

 Short Courses and Seminars

 Ocean Engineering
 Physical Oceanography 3
 Ocean Engineering Seminar I, II 2
 Ocean Measurements Lab 4
 Underwater Acoustics 4

 Introductory Hydrography 3
 Geodesy and Geomatics 3
 Hydrographic Field Course 4

 Sonar Signal and Image Processing 3

 Interactive Data Visualization 3

 Thesis 6

Total Credit Hours 35

 Earth Sciences
 Physical Oceanography 3
 Geological Oceanography 4
 Seminar in Earth Sciences 2
 Ocean Measurements Lab 4

 Introductory Hydrography 3
 Geodesy and Geomatics 3
 Hydrographic Field Course 4

 Seafloor Characterization 3
 Nearshore Processes 3

 Thesis 6

Total Credit Hours 35