An Autonomous Atomic Clock-Based Underwater Acoustic Vector Sensor Platform with In-Buoy Processing and Reporting Capabilities

Abstract

Underwater acoustic sensor units are proposed for the purpose ofsupporting current and future research initiatives requiring synchronous directional point measurements of the underwater soundscape. Each unit consists of a three-axis directional transducer (vector sensor), an omnidirectional hydrophone, signal conditioning amplifiers, a data recorder with an atomic clock time base, an acoustic communications modem and transducer, an electronics pressure vessel, a pressure-tolerant battery power supply, and recovery hardware. The atomic clock time base in each unit permits accurate timing for coherent acoustical processing between units and for correlation with concurrent environmental observations. The onboard data recorder is also capable of executing real-time data processing algorithms on the acoustical data, allowing for in-buoy data processing and message reporting via the acoustic modem. These extended measurement capabilities will fill a current need for easily deployed, autonomous, persistent, coherent, and directional measurements of the underwater sound field. This proposal will purchase the equipment and fund assembly and calibration.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Sep 04, 2018
Source ID
N000141812824

Entities

People

  • Jason D Sagers

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems