ERAS Sonar Test System –

Low frequency
Echo Repeating Acoustic Source System
ERAS Sonar Test System Echo Repeating Acoustic Source System

Transmit, repeat and test signals with the Echo Repeating

Acoustic Source System (ERAS) Features

• Compact and lightweight system, ideal for

ERAS is a low cost, compact and flexible sonar test system,
transportation
designed for hand-deployment from small vessels with few
• Hand deployable from a range of ocean
facilities. The transducer assembly is a small
vessels
lightweight unit containing both projector and hydrophone. • Acoustic source and echo repeat functions
At the surface, the system includes a rugged, portable, power for generating and receiving signals
amplifier unit and a portable computer.

ERAS is controlled by an easy-to-use Graphical User

Interface commanding the Digital Signal Processor which
is used to Echo Repeat, Transpond, and produce calibrated Applications
transmissions with up to 24 tones simultaneously.
• Sonar test and calibration
• Underwater target detection
• Sonar operator training
• Surveillance
• Noise signature simulation
• At sea, acceptance trials

Operating modes

• Complex Signal Source

• Sequence
• Echo Repeater
• Transponder
• Received Signal Monitor
• Slant Range Measurement
Echo Repeat Mode
Source & Sequence Mode
In Echo Repeat mode, ERAS can repeat signals (between
As a calibrated acoustic transmitter (source
2000Hz and 2600Hz) received from a hydrophone
mode) ERAS can generate complex test
contained in the hand-deployable, transducer head. It
signals between 280Hz and 2600Hz. It is
does this in response to a trigger event, based either on
capable of concurrently generating up to
the incoming acoustic signal, an external input, or under
24 tones. The system also allows up to five
operator control. The repeated signal can have a highlight
noise bands (selectable from white, pink or
structure imposed upon it to mimic the reflections from a
PRN (Pseudo Random Noise)) and 5 bands of
target. The many configurable parameters are controlled
Band Limited noise (White, Pink or PRN) to
via an easily operated Graphical User Interface. Within this
be generated with the tones. The frequency
interface, the user can add Doppler, target strength and
and source level of each tone (and noise
signal highlights to the echo repeated acoustic signal. A
band) may be controlled independently and
programmed sequence of echo repeated signals can be
each selected as CW (Continuous Wave) or
configured to simulate a moving target by appropriate
pulsed. ERAS can also generate LFM (Linear
addition of Doppler frequency shift and monotonically
Frequency Modulation) or LPM (Linear Period
changing time delay.
Modulation) sweeps and other complex
modulated transmissions. The system allows
pulse trains up to 1,000 pulses with stepped
Transpond Mode source level.
In Transpond mode, ERAS can transmit a user defined
acoustic signal (between 280Hz and 2600Hz) in
response to a trigger event which can be either
acoustic, from an external input or under operator
control. The transpond signal can be defined as a
single pulse, or a ramp of pulses, either of a monotone
or LFM or LPM sweeps, with selectable frequency
and source level. In addition, any selection within the
Source Mode can be transponded.

Typical Source Level

chelsea.co.uk
ERAS Sonar Test System Echo Repeating Acoustic Source

Source Modes
General Specification
Source Transmit
280Hz to 2600Hz
Generation Bandwidth
Modes Pulse Lengths 3ms to 10s or CW
• Source, Echo Repeat and Transpond
Number of Pulses Up to 1000
Transmit Bandwidth Pulse Intervals Up to 60s
• 280Hz to 2600Hz user definable Variable Step Levels -10 to +10 dB
Horizontal Beam Pattern Tones Up to 24 (each with definable source levels &
• Omni-directional frequencies – CW or pulsed)

Vertical Beam Pattern Sweeps LFM or LPM

• +30° Noise Either Broadband or up to 5 user definable bands
Noise Types White, Pink or Pseudo-Random
Modulated Signal AM or FM, user definable carrier and modulating
signal

Transpond Modes
Frequency Range 280Hz to 2600Hz
Pulse Length 0.010s to 10.00s (0.001s step)
Variable Step Levels -10 to +10 dB
Trigger Types Acoustic, TTL pulse or manual
Trigger Level & Fully user definable
Averaging
Transpond Types LFM or LPM sweep, Monotone or Source Mode
(see above)

Echo Repeat Mode

Echo Frequency 2000Hz and 2600Hz
Trigger Types Acoustic, TTL pulse or manual
Trigger Level & Averaging Fully user definable
Echo Length 10ms to 5s
Added Doppler -40 to +40 knots
Added Echo Strength -30 to +40 dB
Echo Delay Up to 60s
Highlights Up to 5
Highlight Strength -30 to +30 dB
Highlight Offset: Up to 200ms
Moving Track Target Velocity –40 to +40 knots
Tag on Transpond User configurable

Mechanical

Computer 405 x 225 x 205mm, 10kg

Power Amplifier: 445 x 220 x 538mm, 15kg (splashproof)
Transducer: 260 outer diameter x 608mm length, 8.3kg
Cable Length: 50m
Computer Power 90 to 250V AC auto switching 50/60 Hz
Requirement:
PA Power Requirement: 95 to 130V or 185 to 260VAC auto switching 50/60
Hz

*In view of our continual improvements, the designs and specifications of our products may vary from those
described.
2435-042-,,MM-A

Chelsea Technologies Ltd

Chelsea Technologies Ltd
55 Central Avenue | West Molesey | Surrey KT8 2QZ | United Kingdom Registered in England No.00832429

T +44 (0)20 8481 9000 | E sales@chelsea.co.uk | W chelsea.co.uk