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Fiber Optic technology is used by DDL OMNI to provide engineering
and technical support to the NUWC Towed Array programs.
These programs involve research and development of arrays
using two types of fiber optic hydrophones, Pressure Insensitive
Interferometer and Fabry-Perot Interferometer. DDL OMNI
has provided full spectrum support from concept development
to at-sea testing on the research vessel Athena.
Specific tasks performed for NUWC in fiber optic technology
for towed arrays include—
- Design, fabrication, and documentation of a receiver/beamformer
for the All Optical Towed Array (AOTA) for at-sea acoustic
data collection and establishment of the self noise floor.
- Development of a micro-processor controlled winding
machine to control the tension, length and spacing of
fibers and position of reflectors on hydrophone mandrels.
- Conduct of mechanical vibration test on an AOTA module
in the axial vibration test facility at NUWC.
- Test and calibration of the AOTA array and NUWC sonar
processing equipment prior to the acoustic sea trials.
- Assistance with the selection of mandrel material;
design of the mandrel physical dimensions for the desired
sensitivity, shading, and pressure/temperature parameters;
and selection of fibers of the desired wavelength, outer
diameter, coating material and assembling hydrophones.
- Development of sea trial agenda and test plan for the
AOTA sea trials, installation, and testing of inboard
and outboard equipment, and providing operational and
maintenance services during sea trials.
- Assistance to NUWC with the data reduction and analysis
of sea trial data.
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