Networkable Sonar System With Integrated Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar systems face challenges with high costs, mechanical and electrical interference, and reduced performance due to the physical separation of transmitter and receiver electronics from the sonar transducer assembly, requiring expensive dual-mode analog cabling and complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A networkable sonar system with integrated sonar electronics and sensors within the transducer assembly housing, utilizing Ethernet connections for both data transmission and power delivery through Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), allowing for synchronized operation and reduced interference between multiple sonar transducer assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmitter and receiver electronics are physically separated from the sonar transducer assembly, then interference between multiple sonar systems can be reduced, but expensive dual-mode analog cabling and complex installation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmitter and receiver electronics within the same housing as the sonar transducer assembly, eliminating the need for separate cabling. This integration resolves the contradiction by achieving both interference reduction through controlled internal routing and simplified installation through a single unified unit that requires only one cable connection.
2Reliability
If transmitter and receiver electronics are physically separated from the sonar transducer assembly, then high transmit voltage/power and low receive voltage/power can be handled separately, but expensive dual-mode analog cabling is required
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both transmitter and receiver electronics within the transducer assembly housing, the patent eliminates the need for dual-mode analog cabling. The single integrated unit handles both high transmit voltage and low receive voltage internally, resolving the contradiction by achieving signal integrity through internal routing while eliminating expensive specialized cabling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sonar transducer assemblies are mounted to the same watercraft, then sonar coverage and detection capability are improved, but mechanical and electrical interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of transmitter and receiver electronics within each transducer assembly creates self-contained units with controlled internal signal routing. This allows multiple assemblies to be mounted on the same watercraft while minimizing interference between them, as each unit manages its own electrical signals independently without requiring external cabling that could create cross-talk or mechanical interference.
4Ease of operation
If conventional sonar systems use physically separated electronics, then system functionality is maintained, but installation must be performed carefully to minimize interference
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all electronics and transducers into a single assembly, the patent maintains full sonar functionality while dramatically simplifying installation. The unified unit requires only a single cable connection to the watercraft, eliminating the need for careful routing of multiple cables and complex electrical connections, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and installation ease.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a compact, cost-effective, and high-quality sonar system with reduced interference and noise, enabling efficient data transmission and improved sonar imagery while simplifying installation and operation.
Implementation Method 1
coupled to one or more user interfaces and/or other sonar systems over an Ethernet connection
Implementation Method 2
utilizing Ethernet connections for both data transmission and power delivery through Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
Implementation Method 3
The sonar transducer assembly may include a transducer module... configured to support and protect the transducer module
Implementation Method 4
Conventional sonar systems often include one or more independently operating sonar transducers with temporally and/or spatially non-overlapping beams arranged to help differentiate ensonifications
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide networkable sonar systems for mobile structures. A networkable sonar system includes a transducer module and associated sonar electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors and/or other sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly, which is coupled to one or more user interfaces and/or other sonar systems over an Ethernet connection. The sonar transducer assembly may be configured to support and protect the transducer module and the sonar electronics and sensors, to physically and/or adjustably couple to a mobile structure, and/or to provide a simplified interface to other systems coupled to the mobile structure. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be transmitted over the Ethernet connection and displayed to a user and/or used to adjust various operational systems of the mobile structure.