| Sol No.: |
Navy SBIR FY2009.1 |
| Topic No.: |
N091-010 |
| Topic Title: |
Coherent Active Sonar Waveform Analysis Using Pressure/Velocity Phase Comparison for Improved Detection and Classification |
| Proposal No.: |
N091-010-0513 |
| Firm: |
Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation
65 West Street Road
Building C
Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974 |
| Contact: |
James McEachern |
| Phone: |
(215) 675-4900 |
| Web Site: |
www.navmar.com |
| Abstract: |
Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation is proposing a Phase I study that will analyze the scattered acoustic field around a target-like body, taking into account the phase relationship between the pressure and acoustic particle velocity in the scattered field. The project will assess the effects of environmental factors such as boundaries and noise and will estimate the detectability of the phase change as a function of range. An algorithm to detect pressure-particle velocity phase shifts, suitable for in-sensor use or incorporation into the current sonobuoy signal processing system, will be developed. Sensor concepts and operating concepts will be formulated. A plan to validate the algorithms and design concepts in Phase II will be developed. |
| Benefits: |
The development of a detection capability that exploits the relationship between the acoustic pressure and acoustic particle velocity of a signal offers a potential advantage and performance improvement to the Navy for ASW. It is advantageous in that the acoustic receiver to accomplish this type of detection and processing is a mature design that has been in the Fleet for approximately 30 years. This technique will exploit information that is available from the DIFAR sensor but is not currently used in this manner. The algorithms and detection method being investigated may potentially yield an additional detection feature that can be provided to the operator as a "hands-off" function requiring no additional effort on the operator's part. The phase shift detection described in the project is intended to add or enhance detection capability in regions around the target that are limited due to reverberation or to the presence of the direct blast from the insonifying source. In studying the relationship between the pressure and particle velocity in proximity to the ocean bottom there may be features identified that allow bottom properties to be measured using an innovative approach. |