Coherent infrasound generation using an air-propane burner

Abstract

An invaluable tool in characterization of any receiver, propagation path, or detection system, is a source with known and repeatable signal characteristics. This talk will discuss development and evaluation of a coherent (non-explosive, periodic, with controlled duration) infrasound source with frequency capabilities in the sub-hertz to several hertz band. Design of a practical sound source within this band is a difficult engineering challenge. The simple source equation, which will govern any portable human-fabricated infrasound source due to the long wavelengths, shows this fundamental difficulty. As frequency decreases volume displacement must increase by the squared inverse factor of frequency in order to maintain an equal pressure amplitude at equal range. For this reason, the authors investigate utilizing the high energy density available in gas combustion to periodically displace large volumes of air within the open atmosphere. Prototype testing has verified the capability of generating continuous signals at a fundamental frequency of 0.25–1.5 Hz in the farfield—or ranges from the source where pressure and particle velocity are roughly in-phase. Harmonics of this fundamental are also generated throughout the 0.25–4.0 Hz band with reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. Development of the infrasound source prototype as well as experimental testing and results will be discussed.