Micro-computer Modeling and Simulation of Conformal Acoustic Array Performance Array Element Degradation Effects

Abstract

A far-field beam pattern or directivity function of a conformal acoustic array can be generated by performing a three dimensional spatial discrete Fourier transform of the array’s aperture function. The beam pattern is a function of frequency, and both spherical angles of direction. It is strongly dependent on the aperture window, on the applied time delays, and the geometrical configuration of the array. A user-friendly micro-computer software program was created to study the actual array design and the degraded array. The program generates tabular and graphical data in a short period of time (3 min.) for a given frequency, bearing angle (MRA), speed of sound and configuration. Finally, this thesis shows that the degradation of even a few elements seriously influences the sensitivity and the shape of the beam pattern, and the users must draw conclusion on an individual basis.