Application of Acoustics for Underwater ROVs

Signaling and navigating in the underwater world presents challenges for traditional approaches such as radio waves and light. Both are readily absorbed in water. Light also tends to scatter and reflect over short distances. Sound waves are much more adaptable to use in this world. While they also present challenges – especially absorption and reflection – they can be used effectively over much greater distances in the order of kilometers.

This talk will explore the practical uses of acoustics for low-cost underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for use in citizen science and exploration. A popular example of such a device is OpenROV (www.openrov.com) - a low cost, open-source, tethered UW robot with streaming HD video that can dive to depths of 100 meters. Applications such as; Navigation and tracking, communications, SONAR, bottom sounding and hydroacoustics will be presented. The OpenROV community has its roots in the maker movement and presents many opportunities for collaboration for folks with backgrounds in acoustics and signal processing.

Bio

Jim Trezzo has had a long and enjoyable career ranging from aerospace and medical laboratory systems to R&D and PM roles at Apple, Oracle and EBay. Jim received his Masters Degree from New York University in Computer Science and his Bachelor of Engineering from Manhattan College in Electrical Engineering. He is currently interested in exploring robotics and the underwater world through collaboration with open-source/maker movement communities such as OpenROV. Jim and his family are active sailors on San Francisco Bay.