Some Experiments with Underwater Acoustic Returns from Cylinders Relative to Object Identification for AUV Operation.

Abstract

Object identification and avoidance by an autonomous underwater vehicle requires that a knowledge-based, intelligent control system have some way to quantify sonar returns from an object for comparison with stored data on simple shapes. One measurement of an insonified object is its target strength, which is dependent on geometrical shape and surface properties. This thesis examines various aspects of target strength for two geometrically similar, open-ended cylinders with different expected surface properties. Experimental data was obtained in an anechoic underwater chamber using two acoustic transducers where position of the cylindrical object was varied relative to the transducer's locations. Target strength estimates, as well as propagation time delay of the insonifying signal, were studied. The experimental results were compared to the calculated values of a fully insonified, finite cylinder. Keywords: Object identification; Underwater acoustic imaging; Intelligent control system; Autonomous underwater vehicle; Theses.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA194731

Entities

People

  • Maureen A. Farren

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustics
  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Control Systems
  • Engineering
  • Guidance
  • Identification
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Range Finding
  • Seabed
  • Surface Properties
  • Transducers
  • Underwater Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Radar Systems Engineering.