Developement of a wideband underwater transmitting transducer with over 150 kHz bandwidth and high transmitting levels using 1-3 piezocomposite materials

Abstract

Improvement in wideband signal processing techniques has necessitated the development of new types of underwater transducers that can transmit wideband frequency signals. This paper describes the development of such a wideband underwater transducer using 1-3 piezocomposite material. This transducer has been designed to operate at 300 kHz with over 150 kHz of 6dB bandwidth. The results of acoustic tests on various transducer configurations are presented. These results show that the proposed type of wideband transmitting transducer can produce the high bandwidth and high transmitting levels required.

An investigation of various shading (window) functions by printing the shape of the function on underwater transmitting transducers and arrays

“…A 1-3 piezocomposite material with 40% VF was selected due to its excellent wide bandwidth and high transmitting response characteristics [1], [3]. The resonance frequency predictions for the 1-3 piezocomposite active material (thickness versus ceramic volume fraction) were made on the basis of the Smith-Auld theory [2] . A layer of polyurethane (acoustic window) was also introduced in order to provide waterproofing and protection to the array assembly.…”