Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have become interesting for harbor mapping and protection. AUVs require a SONAR sensor for observing their surroundings, thus enabling them to perform collision avoidance manoeuvres and scanning their operating environment for intruders or foreign objects, e.g. mines. To perform such actions the SONAR sensor is required to supply very fine range resolution for target imaging, as well as providing information about possible target velocity. Basic SONAR theory is discussed, as well as different approaches to signal design and processing techniques, for achieving the required resolution in range and target velocity. Two of the discussed approaches are selected for processing range and target velocity, respectively. Both approaches are simulated for their validity before being tested by using a custom-built platform. The platform is highly configurable and designed for capacity of testing a variety of SONAR signals and set ups. Furthermore, the platform is built by using off-the-shelf components to minimize development costs. The results of simulations and practical tests are presented. A high correlation between theory and practice is achieved. The knowledge and the platform presented form the stepping stone for further SONAR sensor developments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die laaste jare het outonome onderwater voertuie (OOV) toenemend belangrik geword vir die kartografie en beskerming van hawens. OOV’s vereis SONAR sensore wat hulle in staat stel, om hulle omgewing waar te neem en sodoende botsing vermydings take te verrig en ook om hul werksomgewing noukeurig te skandeer om indringers of vreemde voorwerpe, bv. myne, op te spoor. Om sulke werk te verrig, word van die SONAR sensor vereis, om baie fyn afstand oplossings vir teiken te verskaf, insluitend die moontlike snelheid van die teiken. Basiese SONAR teorie word bespreek, en dan verskeie benaderings van sein ontwerp en verwerkings tegnieke. Twee van die bespreekte benaderings word gekies om afstand en teiken snelheid onderskeidelik te verwerk. Altwee benaderings word gesimuleer om hul geldigheid vas te stel, voor dat hulle getoets word op ’n pasmaat vervaardigde platform. Die platform is hoogs aanpasbaar en is ontwerp vir sy vermoë om ’n verskeidenheid SONAR seine en verwerkings te hanteer. Verder is die platform vervaardig met standard rakonderdele om ontwikkelingskoste so laag as moontlik te hou. Die uitslae van die simulerings en praktiese toetse word voorgestel. ’n Hoë mate aan korrelasie is bereik tussen teorie en praktyk. Die kennis en die platvorm, wat hier voorgestel word, vorm die eerste trappie vir toekomstige SONAR sensor ontwikkeling.