AN ACOUSTIC RAY SHIP POSITIONING AND TRACKING SYSTEM.
Abstract
A ship positioning and underwater tracking system for general oceanographic work has been developed at the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory. The positioning and tracking is accomplished by measuring the length of acoustic rays emitted by a single sound source and received by three ship-mounted hydrophones. The ray lengths are independent variables in a set of tracking equations. The sound source is an acoustic transponder. The transponder, which is moored to the ocean bottom or attached to an underwater vehicle, transmits when interrogated acoustically from the ship. A small general purpose digital computer is programmed with the solutions to the tracking equations. The computer also controls and monitors the auxiliary equipment which makes up the entire system. This tracking system was installed aboard the USNS MIZAR in the spring of 1964. It was used in the North Atlantic Ocean during the summer and fall of 1964 and the winter of 1964-1965. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 12, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0624454
Entities
People
- H. N. Van Ness
- K. R. Stewart
- R. L. Mills
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory