AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor SystemThe AN/UQQ-2 Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS), colloquially referred to as the ship's "Tail", is a towed arraysonar system of the United States Navy. SURTASS Twin-Line consists of either the long passive SURTASS array or the Twin-line array, consisting of two shorter passive arrays towed side by side. The Twin-line Engineering Development Model was installed on USNS Assertive, and the first production model was installed on USNS Bold.
Baffles (submarine)The baffles is the area in the water directly behind a submarine or ship through which a hull-mounted sonar cannot hear. This blind spot is caused by the need to insulate the sonar array, commonly mounted near the bow, from the noise of the vessel's machinery. During the Cold War, one submarine would frequently attempt to follow another by hiding in its baffles.
HydrophoneA hydrophone (Ancient Greek: ὕδωρ + φωνή, lit.'water + sound') is a microphone designed for underwater use, for recording or listening to underwater sound. Most hydrophones contain a piezoelectric transducer that generates an electric potential when subjected to a pressure change, such as a sound wave. A hydrophone can also detect airborne sounds but is insensitive of them because it is designed to match the acoustic impedance of water, a denser fluid than air.
BeamformingBeamforming or spatial filtering is a signal processing technique used in sensor arrays for directional signal transmission or reception. This is achieved by combining elements in an antenna array in such a way that signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. Beamforming can be used at both the transmitting and receiving ends in order to achieve spatial selectivity.
ThermoclineA thermocline (also known as the thermal layer or the metalimnion in lakes) is a distinct layer based on temperature within a large body of fluid (e.g. water, as in an ocean or lake; or air, e.g. an atmosphere) with a high gradient of distinct temperature differences associated with depth. In the ocean, the thermocline divides the upper mixed layer from the calm deep water below.Thales Underwater SystemsThales Underwater Systems or TUS (formerly Thomson Sintra ASM, Thomson CSF DASM and then Thomson Marconi Sonar) is a subsidiary of the French defense electronics specialist Thales Group. It was founded in 2001 and belongs to its naval division. It specializes in the development and manufacturing of sonar systems for submarines, surface warships and aircraft, as well as communications masts and systems for submarines. Its headquarters are located in Sophia Antipolis, France.
SubmarineWatercraft capable of independent underwater operationRussian Akula-class submarine of the Northern Fleet, in 2008World War II fleet submarine (Gato, Balao or Tench class), commissioned 1941–1945The first nuclear-powered submarineUSS Nautilus (SSN-571), commissioned 1954The ballistic missile submarineUSS George Washington (SSBN-598), commissioned 1959A submarine (often shortened to sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater.
PropellerA propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a type of propulsor with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which exerts linear thrust upon a working fluid such as water or air when rotated. Propellers are used to pump fluid through a pipe or duct, or to create thrust to propel a boat through water or an aircraft through air.
Signal processingSignal processing is an electrical engineering subfield that focuses on analyzing, modifying and synthesizing signals, such as sound, images, potential fields, seismic signals, altimetry processing, and scientific measurements. Signal processing techniques are used to optimize transmissions, digital storage efficiency, correcting distorted signals, improve subjective video quality, and to detect or pinpoint components of interest in a measured signal.
CavitationCavitation in fluid mechanics and engineering normally is the phenomenon in which the static pressure of a liquid reduces to below the liquid's vapor pressure, leading to the formation of small vapor-filled cavities in the liquid. When subjected to higher pressure, these cavities, called "bubbles" or "voids", collapse and can generate shock waves that may damage machinery.
Strain gaugeA strain gauge (also spelled strain gage) is a device used to measure strain on an object. Invented by Edward E. Simmons and Arthur C. Ruge in 1938, the most common type of strain gauge consists of an insulating flexible backing which supports a metallic foil pattern. The gauge is attached to the object by a suitable adhesive, such as cyanoacrylate.
Fourier analysisIn mathematics, the sciences, and engineering, Fourier analysis () is the study of the way general functions on the real line, circle, integers, finite cyclic group or general locally compact Abelian group may be represented or approximated by sums of trigonometric functions or more conveniently, complex exponentials.
Signal-to-noise ratioSignal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N) is a measure used in science and engineering that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. SNR is defined as the ratio of signal power to noise power, often expressed in decibels. A ratio higher than 1:1 (greater than 0 dB) indicates more signal than noise.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.