Acoustic vector sensor for sniper detection, Sense & Avoid and passive ranging

Acoustic vector sensor for sniper detection, Sense & Avoid and passive ranging
Arnhem, Netherlands - Apr 27, 2009 - During the AeroIndia congress in Bangalore, India in February 2009, Microflown Technologies presented a breakthrough in acoustic detection methods based upon its unique and patented 3 D broad banded acoustic vector sensor.
This socalled Ultimate Sound Probe is the only sensor in the world capable of measuring the 3 D acoustic particle velocity vector value of a sound field next to the scalar value sound pressure.
Whereas the concept of vector sensors has been applied in other frequency domains in air, it was never applied in the audio range due to a lack of appropriate sensors.
Arrays of sound pressure transducers only cover a limited frequency range that depends upon their spatial distance, limiting the detection capabilities for an unknown object with an unknown acoustic signature.

First tests and simulations with the truly broad banded acoustic vector sensors in air show that a remarkable number of sound sources can be separated with only three four channel probes. Thought depending upon various parameters, the new passive ranging techniques have been able to detect low flying helicopters up to a 20 kilometer range even behind mountains. Gun shot localization took place with extremely high accuracy up to 2000 meters. It is also expected that 3 D acoustic vector sensors will play an important role in the so called Sense & Avoid function of unmanned aerial vehicles, as the system allows an all weather proof detection capability in all angles with only limited weight and power requirements that is synergetic to radar and electro optical detection systems.

For further information, contact info@microflown.com

 

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