The Development of Methodologies for Determining Non-Linear Effects in Infrasound Sensors
Abstract
The Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Research and Development (GNEM R&D) program at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is regarded as a primary center for unbiased expertise in testing and evaluation of geophysical sensors and instrumentation for nuclear explosion monitoring. Over the past year, four new infrasound sensor designs were evaluated for common performance characteristics, i.e., power consumption, response (amplitude and phase), noise, full-scale, and dynamic range. In the process of evaluating a fifth infrasound sensor which is an update of an original design, SNL has observed a higher than expected variability in the sensor?s analog output sensitivity as measured in units of volts per pascal. Variations in sensitivity by as much as 15% were observed within one hour. This is an issue because of the International Monitoring System infrasound sensor requirement for the uncertainty in the measurement to be less than 5%. An infrasound two-tone test and an extended duration single tone test demonstrated that this variability was due to large amplitude low-frequency weather signals affecting the response due to a non-linearity in the sensor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA569482
Entities
People
- Darren M. Hart
- Harold V. Parks
- Randy K. Rembold
Organizations
- Sandia National Laboratories