Versatile Experimental Kevlar Array Hydrophones: USRD Type H78
Abstract
The development and design of prototype hydrophones for the Versatile Experimental Kevlar Array (VEKA), a distributed-sensor suspended cable system, and a 32-channel Shipboard Acoustic Receiving Amplifier (SARA) is presented. The approach was to design hydrophones which are specifically made an integral part of the free-flooded compliant cable during fabrication. The array design required the hydrophones to be mounted coaxially within the strength members of the cable and electrical conductors. The hydrophone is a high-sensitivity low- self-noise design. The design includes a custom-made hybrid microelectronic preamplifier mounted within the acoustic sensor element. The preamplifier uses a current-mode line driver to send the electrical signal up the VEKA cable to the SARA, where the signal is converted to a voltage and amplified prior to signal processing. Milestones of the hydrophone development were: design of a preamplifier system capable of driving 9200 m of cable in either a voltage or current mode (two-wire system); development and application of hybrid microelectronic circuits to noise-measuring hydrophones; and design of a unique remote switching circuit to provide calibration functions, hydrophone output signals, and hydrophone power on a two-wire system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 05, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA067400
Entities
People
- Allan C. Tims
- Craig K. Brown
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory