Noise in Broad-Band Hydrophones

Abstract

The sources of noise in underwater electro-acoustic hydrophones are considered with particular reference to piezoelectric piston-type elements. Expressions are derived for the various contributions, and their influence on hydrophone design for broad-band reception is discussed. It is shown that measurement of ambient noise levels down to Sea State 1/2 equivalent is possible up to 70 kHz with a correctly designed hydrophone and a low noise amplifier with sufficiently high input impedance. Measurements down to this level are more readily carried out with a spherical hydrophone than with a piston hydrophone in a baffle. The hydrophone parameters of greatest importance are the resonance frequency, coupling coefficient, and hydrophone sensitivity. It is important also to avoid mechanical resonances of the hydrophone mounting.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA027596

Entities

People

  • D. Stansfield

Organizations

  • Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, Portland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ambient Noise
  • Amplifiers
  • Capacitance
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Bands
  • Hydrophones
  • Impedance
  • Low Noise
  • Low Noise Amplifiers
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Noise
  • Q Factor
  • Radiation
  • Resistance
  • Stiffness
  • Transducers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Systems Analysis and Design