Acoustic projectors for AUV and UUV applications in shallow-water regions

Thomas R. Howarth

doi:10.1117/12.354668

23 July 1999 Acoustic projectors for AUV and UUV applications in shallow-water regions

Thomas R. Howarth

Proceedings Volume 3711, Information Systems for Navy Divers and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Operating in Very Shallow Water and Surf Zone Regions; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354668
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

For acoustic identification of objects in a littoral environment, there are generally three frequency bands of interest; 1 kHz to 10 kHz, 10 kHz to 100 kHz and 100 kHz to >= 1 MHz, where the selection of these bands is dependent upon the specific Navy mission. This paper will discuss the progress of the Naval Research Laboratory in developing acoustic projector prototypes to address the lower two frequency bands for unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and/or autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications. The band of 1 kHz to 10 kHz is currently being addressed sing cymbal flextensional vibrator elements sandwiched in to thin panels. In-air data has shown that high levels of acoustic displacement at low frequencies are possible with these devices while more recent in-water data has verified these expectations. This success has led to modeling and prototyping of similar devices for shallow water regions. The frequency range of 10 kHz to 100 kHz has been investigated for several years where the acoustic projector was originally reported during AeroSense 1998. The result of integrating the NRL broadband projector into the NSWC/Coastal Systems Station synthetic aperture sonar UUV will be presented. This system integration considers the projector as a constant source level over the 10 kHz to 100 kHz band by driving the 100 kHz resonant transducer with an inversely shaped transformed. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the future development trends in shallow water transducers for AUV and UUV missions.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas R. Howarth "Acoustic projectors for AUV and UUV applications in shallow-water regions", Proc. SPIE 3711, Information Systems for Navy Divers and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Operating in Very Shallow Water and Surf Zone Regions, (23 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354668

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