Acoustic homing

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An illustration of steering based on sound volume

Acoustic homing is a system which uses the acoustic signature (sound) of a target to guide a moving object, such as a torpedo. Acoustic homing can be either passive or active in nature. Using passive homing, the system is designed to move either toward or away from a sound, and may also be designed to move only toward certain types of sounds to the exclusion of others, while active homing makes use of active sonar. The system emits a sound pulse that reflects off objects and then back to the system, where the system processes the echos to determine the proper response.

Method[]

An object can be equipped with two or more acoustic transducers, which function as speakers and microphones. If a transducer receives a sound louder than that received by the other transducer, the object turns in the transducer's direction. If the object is to manoeuvre in three-dimensional space, more than two transducers are needed. Typically, more than three transducers are used, and arrays of over 100 are not unknown. A large number of transducers allows for more accurate steering.

Uses[]

Acoustic homing is useful in weapons, specifically acoustic torpedoes. Torpedoes can be made to move toward ships using acoustic homing.

Multiple German G7e torpedoes that use acoustic homing

See also[]

• Acoustic quieting
• Guidance system
• Acoustic torpedo

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