GeoSpectrum Technologies (GeoSpectrum) a leader in the supply of underwater acoustic sensors and systems, announced today the launch the C- Bass family of very low frequency (VLF) sonar sound sources.
Originally developed for marine seismic applications, C-Bass sound sources are extremely compact and are capable of producing high power levels in the 1 Hz – 200 Hz band. Units are available that are 25 cm in diameter and weigh 8 kg. C-Bass sound sources are coherent and can be used like an underwater loudspeaker to produce any type of desired sound transmission within their frequency band. They are designed to operate at high power continuously over extended timeframes.
Applications include:
◼ Longrangesurveillance
◼ Longrangecommunications
◼ Diver and fish deterrence
◼ Acousticinfluencesweeping
◼ Submarine noise augmentation
◼ Emulation of submarine signatures for ASW training
◼ Bioacoustics
◼ Sub-bottomprofiling
The compact size of the C-Bass family of sound sources are expected to broaden the use of VLF systems for undersea applications. C-Bass will be integrated into GeoSpectrum’s echo repeater systems used for ASW training, allowing lower frequency, coherent signals to be emulated that were not possible with legacy systems.
GeoSpectrum has also developed the Low5 thin line VLF towed array for UUVs in conjunction with Hines Ocean Science Consulting. During open ocean sea trials using a surface vessel as a host platform, Low5 was able to detect C-Bass transmissions at a range of 600 km. It is expected this range will increase substantially when Low5 is integrated with a quiet UUV considering a C- Bass signal was recently received from 1,350 nautical miles (2,500 km) across the Arctic Basin.
Dr. Bruce Armstrong, company founder, stated, “We have made several rounds of breakthroughs with our VLF transducers resulting in significant size reductions. Our development team continues to make improvements in output efficiency, resulting in very impressive power outputs for a relatively small package. As a case in point, we managed to reduce the size of an automobile sized VLF transmitter to one the size of a suitcase. Also, we have discovered that the bandwidth of these devices is much larger than expected, with reasonable power outputs out to 1 kHz with some of our units.”
Paul Yeatman, president of GeoSpectrum, commented that “It has been well known for decades that VLF acoustic transmissions can be used to communicate and detect submarines at significant ranges. However, the size of the transmitter has been prohibitive. With C-Bass, we can provide compact, affordable systems that can be utilized from small surface vessels and unmanned systems, including USVs and UUVs. The ability to integrate C-Bass, the Low5 array, and an automated version of GeoSpectrum’s RecView processing software has the potential to transform a UUV into a powerful underwater surveillance tool.”
About GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc.
GeoSpectrum Technologies is a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada based supplier of marine acoustic hardware and systems. Its’ range of offerings include sonars and sonar upgrades (towed and hull mounted), acoustic communication, submarine targets, diver deterrent systems, moored surveillance solutions, Very Low Frequency (VLF) systems and more. The company supplies its products to the defence, oil and gas, surveillance, and environmental sectors.
GeoSpectrum is a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd.
For more information, please contact Sean Kelly: Sean.Kelly@geospectrum.ca
