Data Format Specifications

MB-System supports a large number of data formats used to store bathymetry and backscatter imagery data derived from multibeam, interferometry, and sidescan sonars. Many of these data formats were created by sonar vendors or software developers who make documentation available to the community. This section provides links to data format specification documents that we have permission to redistribute or are available on other sites. The MB-System team and its supporting institutions and funding agencies make no claim regarding the accuracy or usefulness of these documents.

• Simrad multibeam sonar data format
  • revision F (2000) (pdf)
  • revision H (2004) (pdf)
  • revision I (January 2006) (pdf)
  • revision J (February 2008) (pdf)
  • revision K (June 2009) (pdf)
• revision M (January 2010) (pdf)
• Provided by Kongsberg Maritime
• MB-System formats 56 and 58
• Relevant to second and third generation Simrad multibeam sonars.

• SeaBeam 2100 multibeam sonar data format (pdf)
  • Provided by L3 Communications SeaBeam Instruments
  • MB-System format 41
  • Relevant to SeaBeam 2112 sonars installed between 1994 and 2000

• XSE multibeam sonar data format (pdf)
  • Provided by L3 Communications SeaBeam Instruments
  • MB-System format 94
  • Relevant to ELAC Bottomchart Mk II and SeaBeam 2100 sonars installed since 2000

• Generic Sensor Format Specification (pdf)
  • Generic Sensor Format Library API (pdf)
  • Provided by SAIC
  • MB-System format 121
  • Developed by SAIC for the Naval Oceanographic Office
  • Supports most multibeam sonars.

• File Format Specification for Hawaii MR1 post processing software (html)
  • MR1PR post-processing library API (html)
  • Provided by Hawaii Mapping Research Group
  • MB-System format 64

• ATLAS SURF format API documentation (pdf)
  • Provided by ATLAS Hydrographic
  • MB-System format 183
  • Relevant to ATLAS multibeam sonars installed since 2000
  • Processed data from Hydrosweep DS, Hydrosweep DS2, Hydrosweep MD, Fansweep 15, and Fansweep 20 multibeam sonars.

• EdgeTech Jstar (*.jsf) format documentation (pdf)
  • Provided by EdgeTech
  • MB-System format 132
  • Relevant to Edgetech sidescan and subbottom profiler sonars

• MGD77 Marine Geophysical Data Exchange Format (pdf)
  • Provided by NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
  • MB-System format 161
  • Used for exchange of single beam bathymetry, magnetics, and gravity data. Originally defined in 1977; most recently updated 1998.
    

• MSTIFF Image Data File Format (pdf)
  • Provided by Marine Sonic Technology
  • MB-System format 131
  • Relevant to Marine Sonic Technology Sea Scan PC sidescan sonars installed since 1997.
  
  
• MBLDEOIH Generic Swath Mapping Format (html)
  • Defined by the MB-System team.
  • MB-System format 71
  • Used for storing swath data in simple, compact files that can be read quickly.
    
  • Used in the MB-System processing environment for ".fbt" ancillary swath bathymetry files

• IMAGE83P Imagenex DeltaT multibeam profile point format (pdf)
  • Provided by Imagenex Technology Corporation
• MB-System format 191
• Vendor format for Imagenex DeltaT multibeam sonars
  


• Reson 7k Multibeam Data format (pdf)
• Provided by Reson
• MB-System format 88
• Vendor format for Reson 7k series multibeam sonars
  


• Triton Imaging XTF Data format (pdf)
• Provided by Triton Imaging
• Not properly supported in MB-System, but of interest to many
• Data format associated with Triton Imaging's Isis dataloggers
• Supports sidescan, multibeam, and subbottom data from many sonars
  

 

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Last Updated: 7 June 2010