Aperture synthesis is a mature technique that has been used with success in a number
of remote sensing fields. Sonars can also potentially benefit from the technique,
though to date the limitations of slow acoustic propagation and difficulty in
maintaining a stable platform has hindered investigation.
This thesis investigates aperture synthesis for high resolution underwater imaging. A
prototype sonar is designed and fabricated for the study. The performance of the sonar
is assessed in both tank and sea trials and the results presented in this thesis
