Generic sensor format explained

The generic sensor format (GSF) is a file format used for storing bathymetry data, such as that gathered by a multibeam echosounder.^[1] The format was created by Scott Ferguson and Daniel A. Chayes.^[2]

The file format specifications and C source code for a library to read and write GSF files are available from Leidos,^[1] who maintain both the format specification and the source code. The GSF library source code is published under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1.

Usage

The following software packages support GSF:

• Teledyne CARIS HIPS and SIPS^[3]
• EIVA NaviEdit^[4]
• Fledermaus^[5]
• MB-System^[6]
• QINSy^[7]
• BeamworX AutoClean^[8]
• WASSP^[9]
• Qimera^[10]
• HYPACK^[11]
• ISS-2000^[12]
• SABER^[13]
• PFMABE (open source)^[14]
• MB-System Seafloor Mapping Software (open source)^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Generic Sensor Format (GSF). Leidos. 2014-08-07.
2. Web site: Use of a Generic sensor format to store multibeam data. IEEE Oceans. 2014-02-18.
3. Web site: CARIS HIPS and SIPS Professional. CARIS. 2013-07-17.
4. Web site: NaviEdit Release Notes. EIVA Marine Survey Solutions. 2014-01-22.
5. Web site: Data formats supported by Fledermaus. Quality Positioning Services B.V.. 2014-07-10.
6. Web site: MB-System Supported Swath Data Formats. 2014-02-24.
7. Web site: QINSy Side Scan Sonar . Quality Positioning Services B.V. . 2013-07-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140301065149/http://www.qps.nl/download/attachments/6062294/QINSy-SidescanSonar.pdf?version=2&modificationDate=1325505769980 . 2014-03-01 .
8. Web site: AutoClean. BeamworX B.V.. 2015-05-01.
9. Web site: WASSP Multibeam Sonar Specifications. WASSP Ltd.. 2017-11-01.
10. Web site: Qimera Supported Sonar Source Data Formats. QPS BV. 2016-11-08.
11. Web site: HYSWEEP. HYPACK. 2017-03-01.
12. Web site: ISS-2000. Leidos. 2018-02-27.
13. Web site: SABER. Leidos. 2018-02-27.
14. Web site: PFMABE software. Naval Oceanographic Office. 2020-12-21.
15. Web site: MB-System Seafloor Mapping Software, Processing and Display of Swath Sonar Data. 16 March 2016. MBARI. 2020-12-22.