Shipboard Auditory Sensor for Maritime Acoustic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of diesel-electric submarines poses a challenge for naval forces, requiring advanced sensors to detect and classify acoustic signaling from vessels in maritime environments to support autonomous operations, as existing technologies lack precision and flexibility in locating and tracking submarines in restricted visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A shipboard auditory sensor system that includes multiple microphone assemblies, a power filter, and a data acquisition board to process audio signals from surface maritime vessels, formatting them into audio data packets to support autonomous navigation, and utilizing a processing server to run these signals through algorithms for classification and decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple microphone assemblies are used to improve acoustic signal detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor system is divided into multiple independent microphone assemblies (first, second, third, and fourth microphones) positioned at different locations on the vessel. Each microphone captures acoustic signals independently, and their combined data enables precise determination of vessel status through signal comparison and analysis, resolving the contradiction between improved measurement precision and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple microphone assemblies are merged into a unified acoustic sensor system that processes signals collectively. The microphones are positioned to capture sounds from different directions, and their combined output is analyzed to determine the status of other vessels, achieving high measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated processing.
2Productivity
If the auditory sensor assembly processes multiple audio signals simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal processing by capturing and pre-processing acoustic signals from multiple microphones simultaneously. The auditory sensor assembly formats audio signals into data packets before transmission to the autonomy engine, enabling efficient subsequent processing and improving overall productivity while managing complexity through staged processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The auditory sensor assembly acts as an intermediary between the acoustic environment and the autonomy engine. It receives raw audio signals from multiple microphones, formats them into standardized data packets, and transmits processed information to the autonomy engine, thereby improving productivity while isolating the complexity of multi-signal processing from the navigation decision-making system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor system operates autonomously in restricted visibility conditions, then adaptability is improved, but reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic sensor system provides multi-functional capability by detecting various types of vessel signals (whistles, horns, propeller sounds) and operating in different visibility conditions. The system determines the status of other vessels through acoustic analysis alone, enabling autonomous navigation in restricted visibility where visual sensors would be ineffective, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining reliability through specialized acoustic detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors acoustic signals from the maritime environment and provides real-time feedback to the autonomy engine about the status of other vessels. This continuous feedback loop enables the autonomous vessel to adjust its navigation decisions based on detected signals, improving both adaptability to changing conditions and reliability of safe navigation through ongoing environmental awareness.
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
The system effectively localizes whistles from vessels with high accuracy (+/â22.5 degrees bearing) and detects COLREGS compliant signals, enabling safe navigation and obstacle avoidance for autonomous vessels, while being resistant to electromagnetic interference and repetitive mechanical noise.
Implementation Method 1
an auditory sensor assembly that receives audio signals from one or more surface maritime vessels in a vicinity of the ship
Data Source
AI summary
A Shipboard Auditory Sensor (SAS) for detection and classification of acoustic signaling at sea is capable of detecting whistles blasts from other vessels in accordance with Rules 34 and 35 of COLREGS to support autonomous operations in a maritime environment.