Sonar system and process
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An active sonar system for detecting object(s) in water comprising:
- a transmitter capable of continuously transmitting an acoustic signal, comprising a transmit spatial null steering beamforming array, said transmit spatial null steering array forming a transmit spatial null in the direction of said receiver;
a receiver comprising an array of hydrophones having beam forming capability to suppress signals in the direction of the said transmitter, and capable of receiving a reflected acoustic echo of said acoustic signal from said object(s), and a direct acoustic signal from said transmitter;
wherein said receiver is capable of discriminating between said direct acoustic signal and said acoustic echo signal it receives from said object while said transmitter is transmitting; and
whereby said direct acoustic path signal from said transmitter to said receiver is attenuated by both said transmit spatial null and said receive array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sonar system and method of use capable of discriminating a direct acoustic signal present at 60 dB or more above the acoustic echo signal.
11 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An active sonar system for detecting object(s) in water comprising:
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a transmitter capable of continuously transmitting an acoustic signal, comprising a transmit spatial null steering beamforming array, said transmit spatial null steering array forming a transmit spatial null in the direction of said receiver; a receiver comprising an array of hydrophones having beam forming capability to suppress signals in the direction of the said transmitter, and capable of receiving a reflected acoustic echo of said acoustic signal from said object(s), and a direct acoustic signal from said transmitter; wherein said receiver is capable of discriminating between said direct acoustic signal and said acoustic echo signal it receives from said object while said transmitter is transmitting; and whereby said direct acoustic path signal from said transmitter to said receiver is attenuated by both said transmit spatial null and said receive array. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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2. The active sonar system of claim wherein said transmitter is continuously transmitting said acoustic signal.
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18. A method for detecting sonar signals comprising:
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transmitting an acoustic signal utilizing a transmit spatial null steering beamforming array; receiving, utilizing an array of hydrophones having beam forming capability to suppress signals in the direction of the said transmitter during said transmission of said acoustic signal, a reflected acoustic echo of said acoustic signal from object(s), as well as directly receiving said acoustic signal; processing a signal of said acoustic echo and said direct acoustic signal in a manner to discriminate between said acoustic echo signal and said direct signal x hen said direct acoustic signal is present at 60 dB or more above the acoustic echo signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for detecting sonar signals comprising:
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generating an acoustic waveform; performing waveform shaping; transmitting said waveform acoustically; directly receiving said acoustic waveform and reflected echoes of said acoustic waveform; performing temporal frequency rejection on said received acoustic waveforms; attenuating said directly received acoustic waveform by both an array of hydrophones having beam forming capability to suppress signals in the direction of the said transmitter and a transmit spatial null in the direction of said receive spatial null steering beamforming array. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification