Echotec High Definition Sonar Solves the Resolution Issue for Low Cost Sonar

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Northstar Electronics, Inc. (OTCBB – NEIK), which previously signed a Letter of Intent to acquire Echotec Sonar, is announcing improvements in Echotec's sonar image quality.

Echotec Sonar, through new techniques in sonar engineering, has recently made breakthroughs which have improved sonar image resolution levels by a measurable amount.  The company has found a way to bring quality to a level where it is significantly better than the diffraction limit would normally allow.  These performance gains are a direct result of the use of high bandwidth technology in a new and unique way.  To the operators of the sonar equipment, this yields a much crisper image than they have experienced in the past with standard equipment.

In addition to, and through the use of high bandwidth, Echotec's High Definition Sonar (HDS) is capable of 3-D imaging.  This 3-D imaging benefits the operators in that they can determine the depth of the displayed target in addition to knowing its range and bearing:

• For military operations this would provide improved situational awareness when considering an underwater mine, a terrorist underwater diver, or a small surface boat threat.  Ships traversing waters such at the straits of Hormuth have been known to encounter floating mines. The Echotec HDS could alert the ships crew to the near-surface contact.
• For commercial shipping, the added benefit of 3‑D would provide advanced warning of underwater obstacles or a terrorist diver threat when in port at an unsavoury or hostile location.
• For commercial fishing, it would assist the ship's captain in the net setting process, as the position of the nets in the water is critical to maximise the catch.  3‑D imaging also would allow the operator to clearly see fish close to the sea bottom.  This capability is currently not provided with existing sonars yet is critically important in catching the lucrative near bottom species.

Classic sonar equipment usually contains a low quality acoustic aperture to detect returning sonar responses.  The Echotec Sonar technique applies a new and improved computer aided detection and classification algorithm, which improves resolution and allows for a more precise system with a higher probability of detection and classification of the end product.  Higher probability detection allows for safer transit in hostile waters or a better ability to detect, classify, and track an underwater terrorist threat. 

Phillip Johnson, CEO of Echotec Sonar, commented  "These new techniques in processing underwater signals set us apart, and have allowed us to package the performance usually attributed to much larger systems into a small low cost package which we believe will be affordable to all maritime users. We plan on launching this uniquely featured, new commercial system later this year."

About Echotec:

Echotec Sonar Corporation is a private Canadian company.  The founders have over eighty combined man-years of expertise developing high frequency sonar products within the defense and commercial fishing industries.  Echotec Sonar is a world leader in this field through experience, technical acumen, and a team diversity, which understands the needs of many defense and commercial entities.

About Northstar: 

Northstar Electronics, Inc., is a holding company with executive management specialized in design engineering, defense, advanced systems, security, sonar, systems integration, and prototyping fields.  Northstar is actively pursuing opportunities through acquisition, joint venture, or merger to increase revenues and expand its base of subsidiaries.

For further information contact Rich Kaiser, Investor Relations, YES INTERNATIONAL, [email protected], 800-631-8127 and/or Beverly Jedynak, Media Relations, Martin E. Janis & Co, Inc., [email protected], 312-943-1123

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SOURCE Northstar Electronics, Inc.