Abstract:
This report describes a system for underwater acoustic
navigation developed, and in use, at the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution. It includes a brief discussion of the electronic
components, operation, mathematical analysis, and available computer
programs. There is a series of supplementary Technical Memoranda
containing more information on various aspects of the system. We believe that this kind of documentation is more
flexible and better meets the needs of potential users than including
all technical details in one large volume. These are not final or
definitive reports; acoustic navigation capabilities will continue
to evolve at W.H.O.I. for some time.
Acoustic navigation provides a method of tracking a ship, and an
underwater vehicle or instrument package (‘fish’), in the deep ocean.
Acoustic devices attached to the ship and fish measure the length of
time it takes a sound pulse to travel to acoustic transponders moored
on the ocean floor. If the transponder positions and the average
speed of sound are known, the ship or fish position can be found.
