Long-endurance maritime surveillance with ocean glider networks
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Authors
Nott, Bradley J.
Subjects
Acoustics
Ocean gliders
long-endurance
maritime surveillance
unmanned systems
oceanographic sampling
passive acoustics
acoustic communications
Ocean gliders
long-endurance
maritime surveillance
unmanned systems
oceanographic sampling
passive acoustics
acoustic communications
Advisors
Joseph, John E.
Date of Issue
2015-09
Date
Sep-15
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This study examines the integration of ocean glider Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs) in support of wide-area oceanographic and acoustic sampling. These collaborative systems could enable the U.S. Navy to conduct multi-month unmanned maritime surveillance. Optimal sensor position in the water column and persistence are critical requirements to reduce surface expressions of such a network. An experiment was conducted in Monterey Bay to evaluate underwater gliders as mobile passive acoustic sensing platforms. Acoustic propagation modeling was used to plan experiment geometry, predict transmission loss (TL), and estimate acoustic communications performance with a USV. A medium frequency acoustic source was deployed at a range of 5.5 km from a receiver on board a glider conducting a 1000 m dive to demonstrate that a glider can adapt to the local environment to exploit more reliable propagation paths. Results demonstrate that gliders are effective mobile platforms to support persistent acoustic sensing. The glider received transmitted signals at levels in close agreement with TL predictions. Signals were received while the glider was in motion, and reception improved during a quiet deep loiter. Given the depths, ranges, and environmental conditions studied, research and modeling suggest sufficient acoustic communication performance to promote connectivity of the proposed network.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Oceanography
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.