Underwater electric field measurement and analysis

The University of Idaho (UI) is developing electromagnetic field sensor systems that are attachable to autonomous underwater vehicles with the intent of taking survey measurements in underwater ocean environments. This paper presents the testing of these sensors and compares measurements to predictions. Testing was conducted off the coast of Florida with a moving artificial electric field source and an electric field sensor equipped AUV. At the closest pass, the peak value of the AUV-acquired electric field was consistent with the predicted field of the artificial source when the accuracy of AUV position was known to within ~1 m.