A broadband, multi-channel source-receive array for ocean acoustics research

A new broadband source-receive array (SRA) has been developed at the SIO Marine Physical Laboratory for use in acoustics research experiments at sea. The SRA specifically was designed for the investigation of acoustic propagation perturbations caused by environmental fluctuations and MIMO (multiple-input/multiple-output) acoustic data communications research over the 10 to 32 kHz frequency band. The technical details of the transducer array and transmitting/recording electronics as well as a description of the different deployment configurations are provided. In addition, the use of the SRA in acoustic data communications research is discussed. Specifically, deployment of the system as a source array during the KAM08 (Kauai Acomms MURI 2008) Experiment is described along with examples of data transmissions from the 52.5 m aperture source array (7.5 m element spacing) deployed in 110 m deep water immediately west of Kauai.