Multi-Channel Acoustic Simulator (MCAS) for testing multi-hydrophone sonar systems

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego (SPAWARSYSCEN SD) has developed a Multi-Channel Acoustic Simulator (MCAS) that will permit rigorous sonar system testing without having to go to sea and can be used with any multi-hydrophone sonar system. By using simulated acoustic returns in place of the normal hydrophone outputs, and having a 144 channel capability with phase accuracy of one-tenth of a degree, the MCAS provides a robust and high confidence method of shipboard sonar system testing. The MCAS can also be used as a training aid to allow equipment operators and maintainers to more easily detect, identify and resolve sonar system problems. Additionally, the MCAS can be utilized either aboard ship or in the laboratory for developing upgrades to the hardware and software of multi-hydrophone sonar systems. The MCAS employs a PC digital signal processing board and custom acoustic signal generator boards to produce desired input test signals. High speed processing is used to develop the required simulation data that contain phase and amplitude information for each individual channel up to 144 channels. Digital information is passed to the acoustic modules where the acoustic signals are generated.