ITC Hydrophones & Underwater Acoustic Transducers

Application Information

In general terms underwater acoustics is the science of utilising

sound waves underwater as a method of navigating,
communicating, and detection.

Uses for underwater transducers are vast and varied. They can be
found on a high sail array of a nuclear-powered submarine, or
in the pool at the Olympics synchronized swimming events.

Applications are many but the goal is the same:

'To transmit and/or receive sound in water'.

Military Applications:
Underwater acoustic transducers are an important part of many naval sonar systems. Applications include: Anti-Submarine Warfare where
submarine detection is done using hydrophone arrays. Torpedo countermeasures where acoustic signals steer homing torpedos away from
their targets. Mine hunting sonar systems with high frequency transducers to detect mines or small objects. Communication links such as
underwater telephones where two way transducers are used to communicate between surface ships and submarines.

Examples of Military Applications

ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare)
Underwater Communication

o Surface Ship ASW Systems o Submarine Communication Systems
o Submarine Sonar Systems o Underwater Telephones
o Airborne Dipping Sonar o Communications Buoys
o Sonobuoys
o Static Detection Systems
Signature Management
o Acoustic Ranges

Mine Warfare o Acoustic Control
o Hull-mounted Minehunting Sonar
o Variable Depth Minehunting Sonar
Countermeasures
o Side Scan Minehunting Route Survey Sonar o Acoustic/ Torpedo Decoys
o Self-propelled Sonar
o ROV Sonar

Commercial Applications:
Oceanographic research establishments and the offshore oil industry employ underwater transducers for a variety of applications: Sub-
bottom profiler transducers penetrate ocean or river bottoms to study sea bed composition. Side-scan sonars map the sea bed act as 'Side-
wise' sonar for ship tracking. Acoustic speedometers where paired transducers point down to obtain ship speed from doppler shift of bottom
return signals.

Transducer beacons and transponders transmit sound at continuous or regulated intervals to provide tracking and positioning information.
Transducers are also employed for telemetry purposes where a sound beam is used instead of a wire link for transmitting information.

The commercial fishing industry uses a variety of transducers including: Forward looking active transducers for spotting schools of fish. Dual
and split beam transducers perform counting in fish population studies. Detecting the sound intensity of rain on a water surface. Emulating
the mating vocalisations of marine mammals.

Examples of Commercial Applications:

Oceanographic/Hydrographic Survey
Environmental Monitoring

o Echo-Sounders o Environmental Monitoring Probes
o Oceanographic Survey Systems o Fish Tracking / Fish Population Studies
o Hydrographic Survey Systems
o Ocean Survey Systems
Marine Life Research

Marine Mammal Research

Seismic Exploration
Marine Mammal Communication
o Towed Streamers
Marine Mammal Training
o Ocean Bottom Sensors
o Signature Hydrophones