Active multi-static sonar acquisition and processing system

In support of a research programme into multi-static active sonar systems, DRA Portland have funded the development by Signal Computing Ltd of an experimental sonobuoy, a data recording system, and real-time signal processing and display equipment. A receiver array with narrow band linear signal processing was required which could be economically manufactured in small quantities for trials use. This was achieved by replacing the electronics of a production sonobuoy to provide a low-noise pre-amplifier and 16-bit delta-sigma ADC for each hydrophone, and a general purpose DSP in the lower unit to reduce the bandwidth of data for transmission. Deployment on sea trials has demonstrated the effectiveness and flexibility of the system. To facilitate monitoring of data from multiple sonobuoys, a real-time beamforming and display system was developed. This made use of general purpose DSP cards to provide a high degree of flexibility and high performance in an economical system