The Design of a Digital System for the Real Time Prediction of Underwater Sound Propagation.
Abstract
The digital ray and intensity projector (DRIP) was a prototype system design to illustrate the feasibility and usefulness of a system capable of measuring the temperature-depth profile of an ocean area and predicting the effects of this medium on underwater sound propagation. DRIP was designed using standard, commercially available hardware, employing an expendable bathythermograph unit to collect the BT data, a small general purpose digital computer for data processing, a CRT display unit to display the predictions, and a teletypewriter for communication with the system operator. Software was developed implementing sound ray theory techniques to achieve the desired predictions. The system was implemented, a study made to determine the accuracy required of the BT data, and a comparison made between DRIP's predictions and measured data collected for various environmental conditions to determine the accuracy of the system's predictions. Finally, DRIP under went actual sea trials where the systems performed all its functions under actual experimental conditions. Results of the experimental testing of DRIP showed that such a system can reliably predict the distortion effects on sound wave propagation caused by the ocean medium. A system similar to DRIP can prove to be invaluable aid to oceanographic research. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0718822
Entities
People
- Duane C. Tate
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University