Creating a Multibeam Data Processing Report with Visuals using Qimera involves several
steps, from data import to final visualization. Below is a structured guide to help you
generate a professional report with key visuals.
---
Multibeam Data Processing Report (Using Qimera)
Project Name: [Your Project Name]
Survey Area: [Location]
Survey Date: [Date]
Software Used: Qimera (vX.X)
---
1. Data Import & Setup
- Raw Data Sources:
- Multibeam sonar files (e.g., `.all`, `.kmall`, `.gsf`)
- Navigation data (POS MV, SBET, etc.)
- Sound Velocity Profiles (SVP)
- Steps in Qimera:
1. Create a New Project (`File > New Project`)
2. Import Raw Data (`File > Import > Multibeam Files`)
3. Apply SVP Corrections (`Dynamic Surface > Sound Velocity Management`)
---
2. Data Cleaning & Processing
a. Tide & Heave Corrections
- Apply tidal corrections using tide files or vertical reference.
- Check heave and attitude data for anomalies.
b. Outlier & Noise Removal
- Use Qimera’s Swath Editor to remove spikes and noise.
- Apply filters (`Filters > Spike Filter, Slope Filter`).
c. Sound Velocity Corrections
- Verify SVP application (`Navigation > SVP Management`).
- Check for refraction artifacts.
Visuals:
Figure 1: Raw vs. Cleaned Swath Data
(Generate in Qimera: `Right-click on surface > Show Swath Editor`)
---
3. Gridding & Surface Generation
- Grid Resolution: [e.g., 1m, 5m]
- Interpolation Method: [e.g., CUBE, TIN]
Steps:
1. Create a Dynamic Surface (`Dynamic Surface > Create New Surface`)
2. Adjust Grid Settings (Resolution, Algorithm)
3. Export Grid (`File > Export > GeoTIFF/XYZ`)
Visuals:
Figure 2: Gridded Bathymetry Surface
(Generate in Qimera: `3D View > Shaded Relief`)
Figure 3: CUBE Hypothesis Visualization
(Use `CUBE Layer` in Qimera to show uncertainty)
---
4. Quality Control & Validation
a. Crossline Analysis
- Compare primary and crossline data (`Tools > Crossline Analysis`).
- Check for systematic biases.
b. Error Detection
- Total Vertical Uncertainty (TVU)
- Data Gaps & Artifacts
Visuals:
Figure 4: Crossline Discrepancies Plot
(Generate in Qimera: `Tools > Crossline Analysis`)
Figure 5: Uncertainty Heatmap
(Generate in Qimera: `View > Uncertainty Layer`)
---
5. Final Products & Export
- Deliverables:
- GeoTIFF (Bathymetry)
- CSV/XYZ (Point Cloud)
- CARIS HIPS (Processed Data)
- Report (PDF with visuals)
Visuals:
Figure 6: Final Bathymetric Map
(Export from Qimera: `File > Export > Map`)
Figure 7: 3D Perspective View
(Generate in Qimera: `3D View > Flythrough`)
---
6. Conclusion
- Data Quality: [Good/Moderate/Issues]
- Key Findings:
- Any anomalies?
- Coverage completeness?
- Recommendations for re-survey?
---
Appendix: Sample Qimera Screenshots
| Visual | Description |
|------------|----------------|
|  | Raw vs. Cleaned Data |
|  | Uncertainty Visualization |
|  | Final Bathymetric Model |
---
Exporting the Report from Qimera
1. Use Qimera’s Print Layout (`File > Print Layout`) to generate maps.
2. Export images (`Right-click > Export View`).
3. Compile into a PDF/Word report.
Would you like a more detailed guide on any specific section?
In **Qimera 2.7.1**, you can review **Total Horizontal Uncertainty (THU)**, **Total Vertical
Uncertainty (TVU)**, **Density**, and **Standard Deviation** of MBES data surfaces using
built-in tools and visualization layers. Below is a step-by-step guide:
---
### **1. Reviewing THU (Total Horizontal Uncertainty)**
THU accounts for positioning errors (GNSS, latency, etc.) affecting horizontal accuracy.
#### **Steps:**
1. **Open the Dynamic Surface**
- Go to `Dynamic Surfaces` > Select your surface.
2. **Enable THU Layer**
- Right-click the surface > **Show Layer** > **Horizontal Uncertainty**.
- Adjust the color scale (`Layer Properties` > `Colormap`).
3. **View THU Values**
- Use the **Probe Tool** (`Tools > Probe`) to inspect THU at specific points.
#### **Visualization:**
**Heatmap** (Horizontal Uncertainty Layer)
**Statistics** (Right-click surface > **Properties** > **Uncertainty** tab)
---
### **2. Reviewing TVU (Total Vertical Uncertainty)**
TVU combines depth-related errors (SVP, tide, heave, etc.).
#### **Steps:**
1. **Open the Dynamic Surface**
- Go to `Dynamic Surfaces` > Select your surface.
2. **Enable TVU Layer**
- Right-click the surface > **Show Layer** > **Vertical Uncertainty**.
- Adjust the color scale for better contrast.
3. **Check TVU Statistics**
- Right-click surface > **Properties** > **Uncertainty** tab.
- Look for **mean TVU, max TVU, and distribution**.
#### **Visualization:**
**Vertical Uncertainty Heatmap**
**Histogram** (Properties > Uncertainty tab)
---
### **3. Reviewing Point Density**
Density shows how many soundings contribute to each grid node.
#### **Steps:**
1. **Enable Density Layer**
- Right-click surface > **Show Layer** > **Density**.
2. **Adjust Colormap**
- Use a gradient (e.g., blue = low density, red = high density).
3. **Identify Low-Density Zones**
- Areas with sparse data may need re-surveying.
#### **Visualization:**
**Density Heatmap**
**Export Density Grid** (`File > Export Grid` > Select "Density")
---
### **4. Reviewing Standard Deviation**
Standard Deviation (Std Dev) measures depth variability within a CUBE node.
#### **Steps:**
1. **Enable Std Dev Layer**
- Right-click surface > **Show Layer** > **Standard Deviation**.
2. **Check High-Std Dev Areas**
- High values indicate inconsistent soundings (possible errors).
3. **Cross-Check with CUBE Hypotheses**
- Open **CUBE Layer** to see if multiple hypotheses explain the variance.
#### **Visualization:**
**Standard Deviation Heatmap**
**CUBE Hypothesis Viewer** (Check for multiple solutions)
---
### **5. Generating a QC Report**
To compile findings into a report:
1. **Take Screenshots**
- Use `File > Print Layout` for maps.
2. **Export Statistics**
- Right-click surface > **Export Statistics** (CSV/Excel).
3. **Use Qimera’s Report Tools**
- `Tools > Report Generator` (if available in v2.7.1).
---
### **Summary Table: Key QC Layers in Qimera 2.7.1**
| **Parameter** | **How to View** | **What It Indicates** |
|---------------|----------------|----------------------|
| **THU** | `Layer > Horizontal Uncertainty` | GNSS & latency errors |
| **TVU** | `Layer > Vertical Uncertainty` | Depth measurement errors |
| **Density** | `Layer > Density` | Data coverage quality |
| **Std Dev** | `Layer > Standard Deviation` | Sounding consistency |
---
### **Tips for Effective Review**
✔ **Compare with Crosslines** (`Tools > Crossline Analysis`)
✔ **Check CUBE Hypothesis Count** (High counts = unresolved ambiguities)
✔ **Use the Swath Editor** to clean problematic areas.
Would you like a detailed guide on interpreting uncertainty values (e.g., IHO standards
compliance)?
### **Detailed Guide: Interpreting THU, TVU, Density & Standard Deviation in Qimera 2.7.1
(IHO Compliance)**
This guide explains how to **interpret uncertainty metrics** in Qimera, compare them
against **IHO Standards (2022 or Special/Order 1a/1b)**, and take corrective actions.
---
## **1. Total Horizontal Uncertainty (THU)**
**Definition:**
- THU combines errors from **GNSS, latency, vessel motion, and MBES alignment**
affecting horizontal positioning.
- Expressed in **meters (m)**.
### **How to Interpret THU in Qimera**
1. **Check THU Distribution**
- Go to `Surface Properties > Uncertainty Tab` → View **mean, max, and histogram**.
- **IHO 2022 Limits:**
- **Order 1a (Exclusive):** THU ≤ **0.5m + 0.013 × Depth**
- **Order 1b (Normal):** THU ≤ **1.0m + 0.023 × Depth**
- **Special Order:** THU ≤ **0.25m + 0.0075 × Depth**
2. **Identify Problem Areas**
- **High THU zones** (red in heatmap) often indicate:
- Poor GNSS reception (e.g., multipath, signal loss).
- Incorrect latency or lever-arm values.
3. **Corrective Actions**
- Re-process with **better SBET/PPK data**.
- Verify **latency calibration** (`Tools > Latency Corrections`).
---
## **2. Total Vertical Uncertainty (TVU)**
**Definition:**
- TVU combines **depth errors** from SVP, tides, heave, MBES calibration, and noise.
- Expressed in **% of depth** or **meters (m)**.
### **How to Interpret TVU in Qimera**
1. **Check TVU Against IHO Standards**
- **IHO 2022 Limits (95% confidence):**
- **Order 1a (Exclusive):** TVU ≤ **±(0.25m + 0.0075 × Depth)**
- **Order 1b (Normal):** TVU ≤ **±(0.5m + 0.013 × Depth)**
- **Special Order:** TVU ≤ **±(0.15m + 0.0025 × Depth)**
2. **TVU Heatmap Analysis**
- **Blue = Low TVU (Good)**
- **Red = High TVU (Problematic)**
- Common causes:
- Poor SVP (missing profiles, stratification).
- Incorrect tide/heave corrections.
3. **Corrective Actions**
- Add more **Sound Velocity Profiles (SVP)** in problem areas.
- Re-process with **improved tide model**.
---
## **3. Point Density**
**Definition:**
- Measures **number of soundings per grid node** (higher = better confidence).
### **How to Interpret Density in Qimera**
1. **Check Coverage**
- **Low-density areas** may indicate:
- Poor sonar coverage (gaps, nadir artifacts).
- Excessive filtering (e.g., aggressive spike removal).
2. **IHO Minimum Density Guidelines**
- **Order 1a/1b:** ≥ **5 soundings per node** (for CUBE processing).
- **Special Order:** ≥ **10 soundings per node**.
3. **Corrective Actions**
- Adjust **grid resolution** (higher res = more detail but needs more data).
- Re-process with **less aggressive filtering**.
---
## **4. Standard Deviation (Std Dev)**
**Definition:**
- Measures **depth variability** within a CUBE node (high std dev = inconsistent
soundings).
### **How to Interpret Std Dev in Qimera**
1. **Check Std Dev Values**
- **Low Std Dev (< 0.1m):** Consistent soundings (good).
- **High Std Dev (> 0.5m):** Possible errors (outliers, multipath, false bottoms).
2. **Cross-Check with CUBE Hypotheses**
- Open **CUBE Hypothesis Layer** → If multiple hypotheses exist, manual cleaning may
be needed.
3. **Corrective Actions**
- Use **Swath Editor** to remove outliers.
- Adjust **CUBE acceptance thresholds** (`Filters > CUBE Parameters`).
---
## **5. Generating an IHO-Compliant QC Report**
To ensure your data meets IHO standards:
### **Step 1: Export Statistics**
- Right-click surface → **Export Statistics** (CSV/Excel).
- Compare **THU/TVU** against IHO formulas.
### **Step 2: Visual Checks**
- Create **uncertainty heatmaps** (`Layer > Vertical/Horizontal Uncertainty`).
- Overlay **IHO limits** (manually in Excel or GIS).
### **Step 3: Report Findings**
| **Metric** | **Your Value** | **IHO Limit (Order 1a)** | **Compliant?** |
|-------------|---------------|--------------------------|----------------|
| **Max TVU** | 0.35m @ 20m | 0.25 + (0.0075×20) = 0.4m | Yes |
| **Max THU** | 0.8m @ 30m | 0.5 + (0.013×30) = 0.89m | Yes |
| **Min Density** | 4.2 | ≥5 | No (Gaps Detected) |
### **Step 4: Recommendations**
- **If failing IHO standards:**
- Re-process with better SVPs/tides.
- Conduct **targeted re-survey** in low-density zones.
---
## **Final Notes**
- **Qimera 2.7.1 does not auto-flag IHO violations** → Manual checks are required.
- **For Special Order surveys**, use tighter thresholds.
Would you like a **sample dataset with step-by-step IHO validation** in Qimera?