A parametric antenna for hydrophysical research on long-distance paths

Abstract

This work considers the capabilities of a hydroacoustic antenna based on principles of nonlinear acoustics to perform hydrophysical studies on long-distance paths. The antenna is described and results from initial experiments at sea are reported. The antenna is installed at a depth of 40 m at the site of investigations by the Hydrophysical Institute, Abkhazia Academy of Sciences. At a pumping frequency of 20 kHz, it allows the medium to be probed in the 300–3000 Hz range of parametric radiation on long-distance routes. The sharp directional pattern (2° angular resolution) of the broadband parametric radiation ensures single-mode excitation of the marine waveguide throughout the frequency band. Generation of a specific signal by a parametric antenna provides conditions for using the frequency dispersion of the velocity of acoustic signal propagation in the marine waveguide to compress the signal as it travels along a long-distance path.