E Sonar Inc.
AUV Situational Awareness Sensor Suite — This proposal targets a multi-faceted approach to realization of a situational awareness sensor suite for AUVs making high quality information available to the vehicle control algorithms. Solution comprises a package of three sensor advances:
1) Multi element upward looking lead zirconate titanate (PZT) acoustic sensor array providing information on surface obstructions that may prevent safe surfacing of the vehicle;
2) Side-lobe-suppressed-transducer-based sonar bottom-tracking sonar implementation with transducer clamping for close range enhancement, providing subsea obstacle avoidance; and
3) Subsea tolerant pop-up micro-radar implementation for obstacle awareness and avoidance when the vehicle is on the surface.