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Active vs Passive Sonar Explained

Sonar, which stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is used to explore and map the ocean by utilizing sound waves. There are two types of sonar: active, which emits sound pulses to detect objects, and passive, which listens for sounds from marine objects without emitting signals. Sonar systems typically include a monitor, control unit, transceiver, and a hull unit with a transducer.

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7 views3 pages

Active vs Passive Sonar Explained

Sonar, which stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is used to explore and map the ocean by utilizing sound waves. There are two types of sonar: active, which emits sound pulses to detect objects, and passive, which listens for sounds from marine objects without emitting signals. Sonar systems typically include a monitor, control unit, transceiver, and a hull unit with a transducer.

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aaravsargurunathan
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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‭Aarav Sargurunathan‬

‭Sonar Report‬
‭ onar is short for Sound Navigation and Ranging. It helps explore and map the ocean‬
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‭because sound waves travel farther in the water than radar and light waves. Scientists‬
‭primarily use sonar to develop nautical charts that can locate underwater hazards to‬
‭navigate, search for, and map objects like shipwrecks‬‭and the seafloor. There are two‬
‭types of sonar—active and passive.‬

‭Active Sonar‬

‭ ctive sonar transducers emit an acoustic signal or pulse of sound into the water. If an‬
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‭object is in the path of the sound pulse, the sound bounces off the object and returns an‬
‭“echo” to the sonar transducer. If the transducer is equipped to receive signals, it‬
‭measures the strength of the signal. By determining the time between the emission of the‬
‭sound pulse and its reception, the transducer can determine the range and orientation of‬
‭the object.‬

‭Passive Sonar‬

‭ assive sonar systems are used primarily to detect noise from marine objects (such as‬
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‭submarines or ships) and marine animals like whales. Unlike active sonar, passive sonar‬
‭does not emit its signal, which is an advantage for military vessels that do not want to be‬
‭found or for scientific missions that concentrate on quietly “listening” to the ocean.‬
‭Rather, it only detects sound waves coming towards it. Passive sonar cannot measure the‬
‭range of an object unless it is used in conjunction with other passive listening devices.‬
‭Multiple passive sonar devices may allow for triangulation of a sound source.‬

‭Parts of a Sonar‬

‭ onars usually consist of‬‭a monitor, control unit,‬‭transceiver, and the hull unit containing‬
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‭a transducer (the sensor).‬
‭Aarav Sargurunathan‬
‭Aarav Sargurunathan‬

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