An acoustic network is a method of positioning equipment using
sound waves
In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid.
In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' by the ...
. It is primarily used in water, and can be as small or as large as required by the users specifications.
Size of network
The simplest acoustic network consists of one measurement resulting in a single range between sound source and sound receiver.
Bigger networks are only limited by the amount of equipment available, and computing power needed to resolve the resulting data. The latest acoustic networks used in the marine seismic industry can resolve a network of some 16,000 individual ranges in a matter of seconds.
The principle
The principle behind all acoustic networks is the same. Distance = speed x travel time. If the travel time and speed of the sound signal are known, we can calculate the distance between source and receiver. In most networks, the speed of the acoustic signal is assumed at a specific value. This value is either derived from measuring a signal between two known points, or by using specific equipment to calculate it from
environmental
A biophysical environment is a biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development, and evolution. A biophysical environment can vary in scale f ...
conditions.
The diagram below shows the basic operation of measuring a single range.
#At a specified time the
processor
Processor may refer to:
Computing Hardware
* Processor (computing)
**Central processing unit (CPU), the hardware within a computer that executes a program
*** Microprocessor, a central processing unit contained on a single integrated circuit (I ...
issues a signal to the source, which then sends out the sound wave.
#Once the sound wave is received another signal is received at the processor resulting in a time difference between
transmission and
reception
Reception is a noun form of ''receiving'', or ''to receive'' something, such as art, experience, information, people, products, or vehicles. It may refer to:
Astrology
* Reception (astrology), when a planet is located in a sign ruled by another ...
. This gives the travel time.
#Using the travel time and assumed speed of the signal, the processor can calculate the distance between source and receiver.
If the operator is using acoustic ranges to position items in unknown locations they will need to use more than the single range example shown above.
As there is only one measurement, the receiver could be anywhere on a circle with a
radius
In classical geometry, a radius ( : radii) of a circle or sphere is any of the line segments from its center to its perimeter, and in more modern usage, it is also their length. The name comes from the latin ''radius'', meaning ray but also the ...
equal to the calculated range and centered on the
transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications, a radio transmitter or just transmitter is an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the ...
.
Acoustic Processing
If a second transmitter is added to the
system the number of possible positions for the receiver is reduced to two.
It is only when three or more ranges are introduced into the system, is the position of the receiver achieved.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Acoustic Network
Acoustics
Networks