Design Note #123
SONAR transducer amplifiers produce the energy which excites underwater transducers into action. Sonar ranging equipment requires a precisely generated 50 to 100 KHz, kilowatt sinusoidal signal lasting between 1 and 10 milliseconds in length. The resulting ping travels a distance through saltwater uncovering underwater features. Precision high power analog design techniques make this amplifier at over its entire operating band. Clean analog controls reduce output noise during listening periods.
Custom transformer design provides proper input and output signal coupling between the amplifier, its output transmission line, and the underwater transducer. Proper impedance coupling allows the kilowatt signal to do its work efficiently. Output reflection is minimized while output energy coupling is maximized.
Power management, amplifier duty cycle, output stage energy management, and overall device heat management are essential to the operation of a practical kilowatt amplifier.
The development of custom electronic products for our OEM clients is OTEC’s entire business. The design of high performance analog amplifier electronics with rapid design cycles, demanding technical requirements, and unforgiving schedules sets us apart. Contact OTEC today!