Target Detection in Noise by Echolocating Dolphins
Abstract
It is well known that dolphins possess a sonar capability which allows them to project acoustic energy and analyze returning echoes in order to detect and recognize objects underwater. The use of acoustic energy is probably the most effective way to probe an underwater environment for purposes of navigation, obstacle avoidance, prey and predator detection, and object localization and detection. Acoustic and other mechanical vibrational energy propagates in water more efficiently than any form of energy including electromagnetic, thermal and optical energy. In this paper, the target detection capability of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the open waters of Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii will be discussed and the dolphin's performance will be compared with an energy detector model. Tursiops typically emit echolocation signal with peak frequencies between 110-130 kHz in Kaneohe Bay (Au, 1980).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA224605
Entities
People
- Whitlow W. Au