UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC TEST CAPABILITIES

Proven Systems for Underwater Testing

SignalSound underwater acoustic products provide a versatile means of projecting simulated target spectra at sea

Underwater Acoustic Transducers and Signal Generation Systems

Since 1973, Gearing & Watson has built an impressive range of underwater products. With Gearing & Watson now part of Data Physics, this legacy continues. Data Physics offers complete turnkey solutions for underwater acoustic tests, including sound sources, transducers, drive electronics, towfish, tow cables, full handling systems, trials support and service.

SignalSound underwater acoustic products provide a versatile means of projecting simulated target spectra at sea – for operation with all types of passive sonar and passive ranging systems. Low frequency underwater projectors (hydrosounders) also produce pulses for exercising intercept sonars, and they include an echo repeat sub system for operation with active sonars.

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Using commercial-off-the-shelf technology, SignalSound underwater systems are available as complete turnkey packages.  Installation assistance, trials support, and lifetime service are all available.

Low Frequency, Pressure Compensated Hydrosounders for Underwater Acoustic Excitation

Data Physics offers a world leading range of low frequency, pressure compensated, moving coil hydrosounders.

The UW-350 is a smaller and lighter device that provides a versatile operating bandwidth of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with excellent beam patterns up to 1 kHz. The average sound pressure level across the operating band is 165 dB re 1 µPa at 1 m, and the maximum operating depth is 188 m. This operating depth can be extended for deployment on the hull of deep diving nuclear or conventional submarines. The UW-350 is employed by the navies of many countries.

Data Physics can also supply a range of systems incorporating segmented/ free flooded ring transducers with resonant frequencies as low as 500 Hz and with a sound pressure level capability in excess of 200 dB re 1 µPa at 1 m.  Data Physics has produced and supplied rings as large as 1.5 m diameter with deployment framework, cables, winch and A-frame.

Calibration systems are also available with transducers arranged in configurations for towing or for static deployment. The transducers are arranged to produce excellent beam patterns from 20 Hz to 80 kHz in both horizontal and vertical directions. Such systems provide an accurate method of calibrating and proving the performance of other active and passive sonars.

The Data Physics SignalSound UW-350 acoustic generator provides low frequency underwater sound generation

SignalSound UW-350 Low Frequency Projector

Technical Specs

20 Hz to 20 kHz
Max SPL: 170 dB re 1 μPa @ 1 m
Amplifier drive: 1 kVA
Weight: 100 kg

Signal Generation, Measurement and Analysis for Underwater Acoustic Testing

Data Physics SignalSound systems are able to generate the narrowband lines and broadband noise that is associated with the acoustic signatures of ships and submarines. SignalSound products can also generate sonar pulses as an echo repeater to interact with active sonar.

This signal processing solution is based on Data Physics Abacus and Quattro hardware and is highly accurate both in component generation and measurement. External signals can be imported for replay or target signals can be generated with multiple lines, broadband noise, and modulation effects.

The ability to both measure and record signals allows full recording of trials signals for post-test analysis and future comparison.

Access SignalSound High Intensity and Underwater Acoustics Literature

Download data sheets and brochures in pdf format.