Adaptive Hydrophone Compression for Sonar Data Through Pressure Hull Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in underwater vehicles is to increase data transmission rates from hydrophones to an evaluation unit without increasing the size or number of openings in the pressure hull, which are limited by the physical properties of electrical cables and stability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller circuit is used to convert and compress hydrophone signals, dynamically adapting the compression method based on the scenario and hydrophone signals, allowing for higher data transmission rates through existing cables by optimizing compression levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the data transmission rate is increased by using additional electrical cables or cables with larger cross-section, then the data transmission capacity is improved, but the stability of the pressure hull deteriorates due to increased openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the compression method parameters based on hydrophone signal characteristics. The microcontroller circuit analyzes the hydrophone signals and selects appropriate compression parameters to optimize the data compression ratio, thereby increasing the effective data transmission rate through the existing cable without requiring additional cables or larger openings in the pressure hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the compression method adaptive and changeable in real-time. The microcontroller circuit continuously monitors the hydrophone signals and dynamically switches between different compression methods or adjusts compression parameters according to the signal characteristics and transmission conditions, allowing the data transmission rate to be optimized without physical modifications to the pressure hull.
2Productivity
If lossy compression is applied to increase data transmission rate, then the productivity is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the compression method parameters based on hydrophone signal characteristics. The microcontroller circuit analyzes the hydrophone signals and selects appropriate compression parameters to optimize the data compression ratio, thereby increasing the effective data transmission rate through the existing cable without requiring additional cables or larger openings in the pressure hull.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by making the compression method adaptive and changeable in real-time. The microcontroller circuit continuously monitors the hydrophone signals and dynamically switches between different compression methods or adjusts compression parameters according to the signal characteristics and transmission conditions, allowing the data transmission rate to be optimized without physical modifications to the pressure hull.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises a method for transmitting sonar data (60) to an evaluation unit (24) of a sonar system (10) of an underwater vehicle, comprising the following steps: Converting ultrasonic waves to hydrophone signals (52) by means of a plurality of hydrophones (14); Converting (42) the hydrophone signals (52) to sonar data (60) by means of at least one microcontroller circuit (18), transmitting (44) the sonar data (60) to an evaluation unit (24), and evaluating (48) the sonar data (60) in the evaluation unit (24), the conversion (42) of the hydrophone signals (52) comprising the steps of digitizing (44) and compressing (58) the hydrophone signals (52) and the compression method (68) used during the compressing (58) being changed or varied by the microcontroller circuit (18) depending on the hydrophone signals (52). The invention further relates to a sonar system (10) for an underwater vehicle for receiving and evaluating underwater sound.