Finite element analysis of underwater static active electrolocation system

Weakly electric fish has an ability to hunt and navigate without visual cues by sensing perturbations of a self-generated electric field, which is called electrolocation. This ability offers another idea for underwater location in dark aquatic environments, a new type artificial underwater location system-active electrolocation system. In this paper, electric field distribution was analyzed by FEM (finite element method). First, the model of active electrolocation system was built in two - dimension. The positions of the electroreceptors in the system were divided into three different areas - the left side, right side and inside of two emission electrodes. And then, the differences of electric field distribution among the three areas were analyzed. These results led to following conclusions. 1) In the left side and right side of two emission electrodes, as the object move along x direction (y = 2 cm ) in L distance the matched curve will have a change both in phase and amplitude, which can be used for locating the object in x direction. 2) For the inside area, the amplitude and phase of the curves also have a change as the object was moved in x direction, which is different from the changes in the right area and left area. The position of the object cannot be located in this area. Our analyze results will be valuable in the underwater location system and the instrument design in active electrolocation system.