Localization of Radiating Sources along the Hull of a Submarine Using a Vector Sensor Array

Abstract

Mappings of sound sources on submarine hulls provide an important diagnostic tool for analyzing the radiated signature, and evaluating noise deficiencies and silencing improvements of U.S. Navy submarines. The acoustic imaging problem is particularly difficult because the resolution of signals required to provide useful information is usually on a scale that it is several times smaller than the acoustic wavelength. Recent testing with acoustic vector sensors (combined pressure and particle velocity sensors) has demonstrated that these devices can provide substantial improvements in source resolution over currently available pressure sensor arrays. The algorithms used to process data from arrays of vector sensors (tri-axial particle velocity sensors combined with pressure sensors) will be described and acoustic intensity images produced by simulated radiation from submarine hulls during recent testing at SEAFAC, the U.S. Navy acoustic signature measurement facility in Behm Canal, Alaska, will be presented