A Compact Acoustic Recorder

• Main Author: Stein, Ronald
• Other Authors: WASHINGTON UNIV SEATTLE APPLIED PHYSICS LAB
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1989
• Subjects: Recording and Playback Devices; Acoustics; *UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS; *ACOUSTIC RECORDING SYSTEMS; *TAPE RECORDERS; *UNDERWATER SOUND SIGNALS; *ACOUSTIC SIGNALS; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; ALTERNATING CURRENT; COSTS; CLIMATE; ELECTRIC POWER; RECORDING SYSTEMS; CALIBRATION; HYDROPHONES; SUPPLIES; ASSEMBLY; BOATS; AMPLITUDE; DISTORTION; CONSUMERS; BOTTLES; ARCTIC REGIONS; HOT WATER; TAPE RECORDING; INTERFACES; TOOLS; ELECTRONICS; AUDIO AMPLIFIERS; FUNCTIONS; PORTABLE EQUIPMENT; PE62435N; WUDN496433; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA213581; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA213581

This paper discusses the design and operation of a portable compact acoustic recorder. Designed to be used in arctic conditions for applications that require portable equipment, the device is configured to fit into a lightweight briefcase. It will operate for eight hours at -40 F with heat provided by a hot water bottle. It has proven to be an effective scientific tool in the measurement of underwater acoustic signals in arctic experiments. It has also been used successfully in warmer climates, e.g., in recording acoustic signals from small boats with no AC power. The acoustic recorder's cost is moderate since it is based on a Sony Walkman Professional (WM-D6C) tape recorder playback unit. A speaker and battery assembly and a hydrophone interface electronic assembly complete the system electronics. The interface assembly supplies a number of functions, including a calibration tone generator, an audio amplifier, and a hydrophone interface. Calibrated acoustic recordings can be made by comparing the calibration tone amplitude with the acoustic signal amplitude. The distortion of the recording is minimized by using a high quality, consumer tape recorder.