Inertial Guidance and Underwater Sound Detection Using SAW Sensors,

Abstract

This paper examines the use of SAW sensors for inertial guidance and underwater sound detection. In the detection of underwater sound, dynamic rather than static loading of the SAW crystal takes place resulting in information carrying sidebands in the SAW oscillator spectrum. Studies have shown that the sensitivity of prototype sensors in terms of signal-to-noise is at least equal to that of conventional hydrophones. As an accelerometer, the SAW sensor provides high accuracy, a large dynamic range (10 to the sixth power), and a digital output without using analog-to-digital conversion. Using relatively simple digital processing techniques, the accelerometer output can provide inertial information such as velocity and displacement. Studies of the integrated error rates for SAW accelerometers have shown that they can consistently provide error rates less than a nautical mile per hour. The SAW oscillator sensor is a promising candidate for high performance, moderate cost sensor applications.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADP001533

Entities

People

  • A. P. Andrews
  • E. J. Staples
  • J. Wise

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accelerometers
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Dynamic Range
  • Errors
  • Frequency
  • Guidance
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Oscillators
  • Sidebands
  • Underwater Sound

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.