New virtual sonar and wireless sensor system concepts

Abstract

Recently, exciting new sensor array concepts have been proposed which, if realized, could revolutionize how we approach surface mounted acoustic sensor systems for underwater vehicles. Two such schemes are so-called ‘‘virtual sonar’’ which is formulated around Helmholtz integral processing and ‘‘wireless’’ systems which transfer sensor information through radiated RF signals. The ‘‘virtual sonar’’ concept provides an interesting framework through which to combat the dilatory effects of the structure on surface mounted sensor systems including structure-borne vibration and variations in structure-backing impedance. The ‘‘wireless’’ concept would eliminate the necessity of a complex wiring or fiber-optic external network while minimizing vehicle penetrations. Such systems, however, would require a number of advances in sensor and RF waveguide technologies. In this presentation, we will discuss those sensor and sensor-related developments which are desired or required in order to make practical such new sensor system concepts, and we will present several underwater applications from the perspective of exploiting these new sonar concepts. [Work supported by ONR.]