This instrumentation development project will design, build, and test a modern digital signal processing sonar receiver (RXDSP) for ocean science research applications. Development work will involve programming newly available signal processing computer chips using modern analog-to-digital technology. An integrated sonar receiver and transmitter will incorporate new acoustic signal processing theory to produce a portable, single board sonar processor that can be interfaced with a variety of microcomputers. A multiple frequency and multiple transducer system will be built and tested. Final development efforts will incorporate mult-frequency inversion techniques in data analysis. Scientific sonar systems will play an important role in NSF- sponsored research projects. These systems will be useful for studying fine scale patchiness in oceanic fronts and within large lakes, where high resolution over great depths is required. This development effort to merge new signal processing chip technology and acoustic theory will result in a digital sonar system with advanced capabilities.
