Deep-Towed Array Geophysical System (DTAGS): A Hardware Description

摘要

The development of a unique Deep-Towed Array Geophysical System (DTAGS) is nearing completion at NORDA. Newly developed hardware for the system includes: a low frequency sound source; a multichannel hydrophone array; a high data rate digital telemetry system; a microprocessor-controlled, dual tape transport, digital data record system; a real-time engineering sensor display system; a short baseline navigation system; deployment/retrieval tow vehicle handling system; and portable instrumentation vans. The system is towed near the bottom (altitude of 100 m) in the deep ocean (design depth 6000 m) and provides the capability to determine detailed geophysical character of the sea floor and upper subbottom structure (acoustic penetration depth of 500 m). This publication describes the characteristics of the major DTAGS hardware suite and reviews a field engineering test during which the system was operated at a depth of 4500 m. A list of system specifications is included.