Underwater Acoustics Transducer Services
In underwater acoustics, accurate measurements are the key to successful product development and high-quality test services. The worldwide adoption of ISO 9000 means that users will increasingly demand that measurements have traceability to internationally- recognised standards. Let NPL's calibration services provide you with that essential traceability.
NPL's Underwater Acoustics Services set the Standard
NPL operates unique underwater acoustics facilities. Using one or more of the open-tank facility, air-pistonphone, Acoustic Pressure Vessel or Wraysbury open-water facility, we will be able to provide a complete characterisation of your transducers and sonar systems under a variety of conditions.
| Calibration Service |
Description | Frequency Range |
| Free-field hydrophone sensitivity UKAS accredited |
Traceable to primary free-field reciprocity calibrations (1 kHz to 500 kHz) or optical interferometry (500 kHz to 20 MHz) | 1 kHz to 20 MHz |
| Pressure sensitivity of hydrophones (low-frequency) UKAS accredited |
Calibration using an air pistonphone and reference NPL microphone | 25 Hz to 400 Hz |
| Calibration and testing of underwater acoustic transducers at simulated ocean conditions | Measurements performed in the NPL Acoustic Pressure Vessel at water temperatures ranging from 2 °C to 35 °C and hydrostatic pressures ranging from 0.1 MPa to 7 MPa | From a few kilohertz to 500 kHz |
| Directional response measurement UKAS accredited |
Directional response in vertical and horizontal planes over 360° using precision positioning system | From 1 kHz upward |
| Impedance measurement | Electrical impedance/admittance measurements of transducers | DC to 20 MHz |
| Free field calibration of transducers and hydrophones UKAS accredited 1 kHz to 350 kHz |
Calibration of underwater acoustic transducers and at the Wraysbury open-water facility | 250 Hz to 350 kHz |
| Sonar system characterisation | Full system characterisation for sonars, including transmit and receive sensitivity, electrical impedance, directional response, etc. | 250 Hz to 350 kHz |
Customised Measurements
NPL provides customised acoustic measurements to satisfy a range of requirements in research and development, manufacturing, and calibration and testing, for example:
- Characterisation of high-frequency sonars, including nearfield measurements by hydrophone scanning or optical vibrometry
- Testing of experimental transducers during the early stages of development
- In the medical field, compliance testing to medical device output standards
Contact us to discuss your specific measurement requirements.
Further Information / Contacts:
- Wraysbury Open-water Test and Calibration Facility: Gary Hayman
- Acoustic Pressure Vessel: Graham Beamiss
- Open Tank Facilities: Justin Ablitt