UDT 2020

UDT Extended Abstract

Presentation/Panel

Expanded Conformal Array Sonar – Atlas next generation of Bow and

Flank Array
Sebastian Hess1
1
M. Sc., Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Bremen, Germany

Abstract — The ATLAS Expanded Conformal Array Sonar (ECAS) is a modular, passive bow array
sonar for submarines. It is designed for detecting acoustic signals in the medium frequency band by virtue
of broadband, narrowband, and intercept signal processing. The modular design of the ECAS system is
characterized by discrete modules which can be easily adapted to any contour and arranged into various
setups such as Bow Arrays, Aft Sector Arrays or Flank Arrays.

1 Introduction Array, Flank Array, Aft Array or even a fully Integrated

Array around the platform.
Nowadays, the requirements for submarines are ever-
changing. Since every navy operates in different
operational areas and has different conops together with a 2.1 Hydrophone Panel
specific submarine design, it comes with very unique The Hydrophone Panel is the key component of this
needs for detection capabilities, challenging contours and concept. It consists of multiple receiving elements
sonar features. arranged in an optimized configuration which enables a
This demands tailored solutions for the underwater degradation concept with full horizontal performance.
systems resulting in high development and integration
times and increasing cost. The whole signal path is shielded, which also includes the
ECAS, the new bow array from ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, ceramic elements.
is an innovative design combining the need for individual
platform requirements and the efficient accessibility of The elements are encapsulated in waterproof poly-
optimum sonar performance on all platforms. urethane (PU). The Hydrophone Panel yields no
electrically active components which reduces the life
The key features of ECAS are: cycle cost.
- High levels of adaptability to different platform
contours or functionality
- High sensitivity and detection performance
- Cost-effective solution for increased number of
signal channels
- Modular design (all electrical units are line-
replaceable)
- Enhanced Availability due to automated
production line

2 System decomposition Fig.1 ECAS Hydrophone Panel mounted on the Signal

The ECAS signal chain starts with an acoustic module,
the Hydrophone Panel, which converts the acoustic
signals to electric analogue signals over multiple
individual channels. The electric signal is then processed
and converted to digital signals in the Sensor Electronic
(SE) and merged in the Junction Tube (JT).
The JT transmits the data to the inboard unit Sensor
Interface Box (SI-Box) which processes the data and
yields an interface for arbitrary imaging interfaces. By
this decomposition the ECAS is not bound to just one
application. It can be adapted for integration as Bow
Conditioning Plate
2.2 Signal Conditioning Plate
The Signal Conditioning Plate (SCP) increases the
receiving signal strength and acts as a rigid mounting for
the Hydrophone Panel. It facilitates improved sensitivity
at lower frequencies compared to currently available
staves.
Its design is optimized to simplify the integration into the
submarine and provides robustness for shock.
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2.3 Sensor Electronic
The Sensor Electronic is situated in pressure resistant
housing located in the bow section. It can be placed
independently from the Hydrophone Panel. The housing
is made of corrosion resistant stainless steel and is tested
to be shock proof. The simple design with integrated
health monitoring makes it easy to replace any electrical
part.
The Sensor Electronic is designed to process up to 64
analogue channels. Its low power consumption design
allows a single channel conversion – to? a large number
of channels. However, the SE brings additional system
fail safety by being able to process different groups of
one Hydrophone Panel separately. Electrical self noise is
reduced beyond Sea State 0 by isolating the SE.
Fig.2 ECAS Sensor Electronic housing
2.4 Junction Tube
The Junction Tube collects the data from up to six Sensor
Electronics and streams it to the inboard Sensor Interface
Box via optical 1000 Base-TX Ethernet.
For system fail safety it features redundant power supply
interface, synchronisation input and data transfer output.
Fig.3 ECAS Junction Tube
2.5 Sensor Interface Box
The SI-Box is the inboard main interface for any signal
processing and imaging components. It replaces the
ATLAS Terminal Adapter (TAD) by merging the data
stream capabilities and data processing.
Its slim design and different interfaces facilitates easy
inboard integration to arbitrary systems.
Fig.4 ECAS SI-Box
3 Design approach
ECAS is able to steer the vertical beams sophistically and
can reduce the environmental noise which yields
potential target separation and added detection range.
The vertical beam steering serves also to compensate
installation tilt angles and offers the additional advantage
of reducing noise influence from the sea
surface.Therefore data from every single hydrophone has
to be transfered inboard individually as an enabling
technology for vertical beam steering.
The ECAS Hydrophone Panel yields enough single
elements in one stave to fulfil modern needs of vertical
beam steering without exceeding form factors or energy
consumption.
The design of underwater electronics is always a
challenge and the latest technology iteration has become
even more elaborate. To achieve optimum sonar
performance, the number of hydrophones featured by
these sonar antennas is crucial. It demands sonar antenna
manufacturing at the highest standards by applying
innovative automated production and quality control
technologies.
An automated manufacturing approach makes it possible
to adapt to new applications easily while keeping the
integration time low.
By separating the SE from the Hydrophone Panel, the
factor life cycle cost is taken into account. By making
every unit line replaceable, a damaged Hydrophone Panel
can be exchanged independently and spare parts come
with reduced costs.
4 Conclusions
At the commencement of the ECAS design, the aim was
to develop a system that is easy to adapt to any platform
contour. However, this has unravelled into a more
powerful system approach that yields many applications.
With a set of standardized components with defined
interfaces and a sensing element that is slim enough to fit
in many positions but also performant enough to adapt to
many applications it was possible to form more than just
a Bow Array.
ECAS in its early stage, is proven to be compatible to
applications such as Flank Array and Aft Sector Array.
Its COTS-character puts development and integration
time for a new platform to a minimum.
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With this proven concept, ECAS will be the one-fits-all

solution for future submarines that combines the key
requirements of today: maximum performance combined
with short time availability and minimized life cycle
costs.