Cognitive IoT-Driven Real-Time 3D Sonar Imaging System for Smart Marine Navigation

Abstract

Introduction: This paper presents a cognitive IoT (CIoT)-based 3D sonar imaging system aimed at improving maritime situational awareness, particularly for autonomous submarine operations. Traditional 2D sonar displays require operators to mentally reconstruct spatial layouts from flat echo data, which can slow decision-making and introduce errors in high-stakes missions. By combining real-time deep learning inference, edge computing, and stereoscopic rendering, the proposed system addresses these limitations and enables more intuitive underwater perception.

Objectives: The primary objective is to design and validate a CIoT-enabled sonar pipeline capable of transforming raw sonar echo signals into accurate, interactive 3D visualizations in real time. This includes improving underwater navigation, obstacle detection, and target identification in low-visibility environments, while reducing cognitive load for human operators.

Methods: Sonar Signal Preprocessing – filtering and extracting relevant acoustic features from raw echo data. Deep Neural Coordinate Estimation – applying real-time deep learning models on edge devices to estimate precise 3D coordinates of detected objects. 3D Visualization Module – rendering stereoscopic point cloud images using the Unity engine for immersive and interactive underwater scene representation.

Results: Experimental validation confirms that the CIoT-enhanced sonar system provides high-fidelity, real-time 3D underwater terrain perception. Compared to conventional 2D displays, the stereoscopic visualization significantly increases target detection accuracy and operator situational awareness. The system demonstrates low-latency performance suitable for autonomous submarine navigation.

Conclusions: The integration of CIoT, real-time deep learning inference, and stereoscopic visualization offers a robust solution for intelligent maritime navigation and object detection. The proposed system enhances operational safety, efficiency, and adaptability in challenging underwater conditions, making it a promising approach for both military and civilian maritime applications.