An approach towards improving the efficiency of sonar projector arrays

Abstract

One of t h e high power limitations quite often encountered in modern sonar systems is caused by t h e 'mutual interaction effect' among t h e densely packed elements of projector arrays. This will cause severe complex effects at higher drive levels.This effect c a n be minimised by restructuring t h e array f o r m a t with suitable selection of appropriate inter-element spacing. The design considerations of uniform linear projector a r r a y formats t h a t minimise t h e mutual interaction effect a r e presented in this paper. The radiation pattern and array gain of t h e proposed array a r e found t o be improved, as far as c e r t a i n signal and noise models a r e concerned.