Research Summaries

Back Feasibility of underwater MEMS direction finding acoustic sensor for narrowband detection

Fiscal Year 2020
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Physics
Investigator(s) McCarty, Leland
Sponsor Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (Navy)
Summary Feasibility of underwater MEMS direction finding (DF) acoustic sensor for narrowband detection. The proposed research is to explore a miniature DF sensor for underwater detection based on a MEMS directional microphone that operates similar to the auditory structure of the Ormia Ochracea fly. Initial research of the directional MEMS acoustic sensor produced positive results in direction sound sensing. The sensor operates on a narrow frequency band, which depends on the sensor's material properties and mechanical structure. Design, fabrication, and testing of the MEMS sensor proves the capability of detecting a narrowband frequency while discriminating the direction of the sound source. With the goal of enhancing the underwater sensor distribution network, the focus of the proposed research is to (1) further underwater testing in a neutral buoyant configuration to determine sensitivity and frequency response tunability, (2) Characterize the directional accuracy, and (3) explore variability in sensor response with physical design changes in the sensor and housing configurations.
Keywords
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal