Influence of Acoustic Horn on Vector Sensor's Sensitivity

Abstract

Acoustic vector sensor (AVS) attracts widespread attention for its unique advantages as a novel underwater acoustic receiver. However, compared to acoustic scale sensors, especially at low frequencies, vector sensors are typically less sensitive and possess higher electronic noise floors. This paper presents to utilize a common acoustic deviceacoustic horn, to increase the sensitivities of vector sensors. When sound waves propagate along a horn, particle velocity could be congregated locally in the horn, even when the overall size of the horn is much less than a sound wavelength. Therefore, vector sensors could benefit from the employment of acoustic horns which act as sensitivity amplifiers on underwater acoustics receiving.