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Preamp-Digitizer Module

Ultra Low Noise Preamp-Digitizer Modules

The Preamp-Digitizer Module is the heart of an acoustic receiver. The preamp must have a low noise floor and a high clipping level. For a wideband sensor attempting to work in the frequency range from 10 kHz to 300 kHz, the preamp may be the dominant noise source on a quiet platform. Some sonar systems use preamps with RTI noise levels as high as 11 nV per root Hz. Extreme Sonar RTI noise levels are below 0.7 nV per root Hz, over 20 dB quieter.

Preamp Gain/Phase Plot
Preamp RTO Noise Curves
FPGA-SoC Processing

Submerged platforms generate noise which can be detected, classified, and localized at tactically useful distances to improve situational awareness. The system's multiple receivers will also passively detect, classify and localize nearby submerged contacts.

Extreme Sonar provides wideband (1 kHz to 625 kHz) acoustic receivers with the lowest electronic noise levels in the industry, as low as 0.7 nV per root Hz. Extreme Sonar also provides assistance in designing wideband baffles, and can provide covariance based cancellation to reduce noise from nearby sources such as propulsion machinery or propellers.

Local Storage

Any objects spending enough time in a seawater environment will eventually be covered with biofouling organisms. Extreme Sonar has developed a low-cost wideband technique for using ultrasonics to prevent biofouling, while keeping the radiated noise at environmentally friendly levels. Unlike other commercially available systems, Extrem Sonar's system makes use of ultrasonic energy in the water rather than shaking the ships hull. The in-water approach has many advantages including being more energy efficient, providing better coverage, and allowing use at piers and in marinas, where many ships and boats can be protected without any installation on the protected vessel.

Single Projector Broadband Countermeasure

Submerged platforms can sometimes escape detection from threatening sonars and acoustic homing weapons by deployment of loud acoustic noisemakers. Because sonar transducers are normally only efficient over a narrow frequency band, a large number of transducers and associated power amplifiers and waveform generators are generally required to cover the relevant frequency band.

Extreme Sonar has developed a novel technique for exploiting high-order transducer modalities to allow efficient transduction over a very wide frequency band using low cost flextensional transducers.

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