High accuracy pressure instrumentation for underwater applications

For many underwater observation and construction activities the accurate measurement of pressure is a key requirement. The pressure measurement may be used as primary observation data, such as in Tsunami detection, wave and tide gauges, and platform leveling applications, or the pressure measurements may be used as associated observation data such as in depth sensors for ROVs, profiling instruments, and towed arrays. In all these applications pressure transducers employing quartz resonator technology have been successfully used in underwater systems that required the highest resolution, accuracy, and stability. This paper describes the construction, operation, and performance of the quartz resonator technology with specific examples of underwater applications. In addition, advances in materials and electronics promise to extend the usefulness of these devices within virtual instrumentation arrays aimed at synoptic observations.