Overview

Qimera is a powerful hydrographic data‐processing software by QPS, designed for intuitive multibeam sonar, LiDAR, and UAV data workflows. With automated pipelines and real‑time monitoring, it streamlines clean, accurate seabed mapping while offering advanced tools for professionals. It supports multi‑processor, multi‑project collaboration, integrates tightly with the Q‑Suite (e.g., Qinsy, Fledermaus), and ensures high‑quality output for hydrographic surveyors, dredging, offshore, governmental, and academic use.

Features and Capabilities

• **Automated data import with vessel file extraction: **Qimera streamlines the initial setup by automatically reading vessel configuration files, extracting necessary parameters such as sensor offsets, lever arms, and installation angles. This reduces manual steps and ensures consistency across projects.
• **Guided, intuitive processing steps: **The software features a step-by-step, wizard-based workflow that guides users through the survey data processing lifecycle—from data import and cleaning to validation and final product generation—reducing the risk of error, even for less experienced users.
• **Qimera Live for near-real-time processing: **Qimera Live enables the immediate creation of point clouds and bathymetric surfaces as data is being collected. This real-time capability supports faster decision-making and allows surveyors to monitor data quality directly onboard.
• **High-efficiency spline filters for data cleaning: **Qimera employs robust spline-based filtering algorithms to remove outliers and noise from multibeam datasets. These filters enable precise control over data smoothing and artifact removal, enhancing final surface quality.
• **Intelligent processing state management: **Every dataset maintains a record of its processing state. Changes such as refraction correction or navigation updates are tracked and automatically trigger only the required reprocessing steps—saving time and computational resources.
• **Time-series multiplots and sensor diagnostics: **Integrated multiplots provide synchronized views of position, motion, sound velocity, and depth over time. These plots are essential for quality control and allow users to identify sensor anomalies and verify calibration integrity.
• **Collaborative multi-user workflows: **Qimera supports networked multi-user environments, allowing teams to work on different aspects of a single survey project simultaneously. Edits are managed with conflict resolution and automatic data syncing.
• **Dynamic links between S-57 features and bathymetry: **Edits to bathymetric data can dynamically update related S-57 chart features, ensuring hydrographic chart products remain consistent with seabed changes. This integration reduces duplicate effort and improves workflow efficiency.
• **Advanced patch testing and wobble correction: **Qimera includes dedicated tools to perform patch tests and analyze motion sensor “wobbles.” These features help diagnose and correct issues in IMU or gyro sensor alignments, improving overall data accuracy.
• **TU Delft-based sound speed inversion: **Implements a scientifically validated algorithm from TU Delft to perform sound velocity profile inversion, automatically correcting refraction errors in multibeam data and improving depth accuracy.
• **Midwater and Fledermaus Geocoder integration: **Qimera links seamlessly with Midwater tools and Fledermaus for advanced water column data analysis, bottom classification, and backscatter mosaicking—expanding its utility in geophysical and environmental projects.
• **Backscatter mosaicking via Fledermaus: **Through integration with the Fledermaus Geocoder toolbox, Qimera allows creation of detailed backscatter mosaics, enabling seabed characterization, habitat mapping, and substrate classification.
• **Support for full ray-trace and navigation editing: **Users can perform full ray-trace calculations for high-fidelity depth estimation and adjust navigation paths, offsets, and time delays with precision. This level of control enhances positional accuracy in final outputs.
• **Flexible licensing and modular add-ons: **Qimera is available in several editions—Qimera Clean (basic cleaning), full Qimera (complete processing), and Qimera Offshore (extended functionality for complex environments). Add-ons are available for pipe tracking, vertical datum management, height matching, and more.