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ExP No.3 (1)

The document outlines a procedure for testing hydrophones and acoustic communication at various operating frequencies, detailing the necessary apparatus and theoretical background. It includes a sensitivity analysis, testing procedures, and considerations for accurate measurements. The results are to be tabulated based on sound pressure levels at different frequencies.

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12 views

ExP No.3 (1)

The document outlines a procedure for testing hydrophones and acoustic communication at various operating frequencies, detailing the necessary apparatus and theoretical background. It includes a sensitivity analysis, testing procedures, and considerations for accurate measurements. The results are to be tabulated based on sound pressure levels at different frequencies.

Uploaded by

azhagansri2021
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ex.

no Testing of Hydrophones and Acoustic Communication with


Date: different Operating Frequency

AIM

To test the hydrophones and acoustic communication at different operating frequencies


involves assessing their performance and capabilities across a range of frequencies.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

s.no Name of Equipment’s Qty


1 Hydrophones 1
2 Acoustic source(Speaker or Transducer) 1
3 Signal Generator 1
4 Oscilloscope or Data Acquisition System 1
5 Underwater Testing Environment(Open water or Tank) 1
6 Multimeter 1

THEORY
Hydrophones can be classified into two categories: one for underwater use and another
for airborne use. The underwater hydrophones are categorised as seismic, flow-through, and
bottom. The surface hydrophones are divided into the dome, cupped, and bridge types. As we
all know, hydrophones are used to detect sound in water; therefore, they need to be very
sensitive. Most of them have a frequency range from 40 Hz to 20000 Hz, enabling them to
detect sounds at different power levels and bandwidths. To understand what type of sound has
been seen by our hydrophone or source, we must record and listen back with a decoder unit.

The hydrophones are also categorised as passive or active. The active hydrophones are of
two types, a piezoelectric and a magnetostrictive. Piezoelectric hydrophones operate on
pressure and electrical voltage changes, whereas magnetostrictive hydrophones operate on
changes in magnetic flux density and electrical voltage. On the other hand, passive
hydrophones have no power source; they only detect sound waves generated by ship propellers,
explosions, cavitation bubbles, etc. Some of these passive devices can be used to measure
background noise levels of coastal waters and infrasound related to distant thunderstorms or
earthquakes.
Sensitivity Analysis

The sensitivity of a hydrophone refers to its ability to convert acoustic pressure variations into
electrical signals. It is a measure of how effectively the hydrophone responds to changes in
acoustic pressure and converts them into an output voltage. Sensitivity is typically expressed
in units of volts per Pascal (V/Pa) or decibels re 1 Volt per Pascal (dB re 1 V/Pa).Calculating
the sensitivity of a hydrophone involves determining its response to acoustic signals of known
intensity. Sensitivity is typically expressed in units of volts per Pascal (V/Pa) or decibels re 1
Volt per Pascal (dB re 1 V/Pa)

Convert Output Voltage to Sensitivity: Calculate the sensitivity of the hydrophone using
the following formula:
Sensitivity=PV
Where:
 𝑉is the output voltage of the hydrophone in volts.
 𝑃 is the intensity of the acoustic signal in Pascal.
Alternatively, if sensitivity is expressed in decibels:
Sensitivity (dB re 1 V/Pa)=20×log10(𝑉𝑃)Sensitivity (dB re 1 V/Pa)=20×log10(PV)
This formula converts the ratio of output voltage to input intensity into decibels.
Testing Procedure:

1. Setup: Place the hydrophone and acoustic source in the testing environment. Ensure
the hydrophone is connected to the measurement equipment.

2. Calibration: Calibrate the hydrophone and measurement equipment to ensure accurate


readings. This may involve generating a known acoustic signal and verifying the
hydrophone's response.

3. Frequency Sweep: Use the signal generator to produce acoustic signals at different
frequencies, ranging from low to high. Start with frequencies below the expected
operating range and gradually increase.

4. Response Measurement: Use the hydrophone to measure the acoustic signals at each
frequency. Record the amplitude and waveform of the signals.

6. Sensitivity Testing: Determine the hydrophone's sensitivity at different frequencies by


measuring its response to a standard acoustic signal at each frequency.

7. Noise Testing: Measure the hydrophone's noise level at different frequencies to assess
its performance in noisy environments.

8.Directivity Testing: Assess the hydrophone's directivity pattern at different frequencies


to understand how its sensitivity varies with sound angle.

9.Interference Testing: Test the hydrophone's ability to distinguish between multiple


acoustic sources at different frequencies, simulating real-world scenarios.

10.Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to understand the hydrophone's performance
across different frequencies. Look for trends or anomalies that may indicate limitations or
optimal operating ranges.

Considerations

 Ensure the testing environment is controlled to minimize external noise and interference.
 Use appropriate safety measures when working with underwater equipment and
environments.
 Repeat tests multiple times to ensure consistency and reliability of results.
 Consider the effects of water temperature and pressure on acoustic signals, especially in
deep-sea environments.

Tabulation

Set Reference sound pressure=20µPa


Sound Pressure level
Frequency(Hz) Sensitivity(20log(P/V))
in dB
94 30
112 50
124 100
143 1K
156 10K
168 40K

Result:

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