Mutual impedance considerations in two dimensional planar acoustic arrays with square piston elements

Abstract

Large acoustic arrays have tremendous value in military and civil applications for producing well-formed beams. In order to realize the potential gains of these applications enabled by large acoustic arrays, it is essential to calculate and take into account the acoustic coupling of the sonar arrays. Although many studies have been conducted on this phenomenon, the practical and theoretical studies in public literature remain inadequate especially on mutual radiation impedance of the acoustic sonar arrays. In order to address this need, self and mutual radiation impedances of square piston elements in two-dimensional planar acoustic arrays are investigated in this thesis. Impedance matrices are formed from the self and mutual radiation impedances of these elements. Operation of arrays and possible mutual radiation impedances are analyzed through the active simulations of planar arrays. Importantly, the mutual impedance data is tested on a generic equivalent circuit model of a piston transducer. Resonance of these transducers and Rayleigh-Bloch waves are also observed as the outcome of these tests.