Acoustic sensors for high speed wireless underwater communication and data collection

Kongsberg Maritime Subsea in Horten (KMS) continuously seeks to create new innovations in underwater acoustics and marine robotics, both in existing and new markets, and they are world leaders for products in the high end of the market for these technologies. Acoustic sensors are widely used for underwater communication and data collection on vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles and stationary platforms, for monitoring and control in applications such as environmental monitoring in the marine and aquaculture industry. KMS is to develop new acoustic sensors for high speed wireless underwater communication and data collection. Wireless underwater communication will become increasingly important in the future and will find many new applications. KMS aims to be the global leader in this by providing world class complete communication systems for online data from the seabed, via cloud system, to stations on land. An important part of project ComPolyMer is to research and develop new polymer materials, new sensor designs and associated production processes that enhance the acoustic properties of the sensors, while reducing production costs and providing the potential for a greater degree of automation in production. In this research KMS will cooperate with Conpart and SINTEF Industry, and also involve its Norwegian core suppliers in order to develop an efficient supply chain and to promote increase value creation in Norway. Results: The project has developed, characterized and tested new polymer materials in KMS sensor design. New test methods have been developed for verification of acoustic and thermomechanical properties. Electrical connection using electrically conductive adhesives is carried out in KMS sensor design. For cost reduction measures, injection moulding is carried out on KMS sensor design. Expertise in future additive manufacturing as a production method has been built up.

KMS has a deeply rooted marked strategy to be at the forefront with new high-speed subsea communication technology, being world-leading with a combination of high performance and an optimal cost in order to reach larger market volumes. ComPolyMer is an important part in realizing this strategy. Partner company Conpart (being a company focusing on manufacturing and use of advanced particle technology in electronic systems) aims to become an important supplier for KMS. Conpart also see an additional market for this technology within medical ultrasound transducers and to use know-how gained in the project within the more traditional electronics market. The project will help make Norwegian land-based manufacturing industry grow and become more competitive in a global perspective. The product platform to be developed is also aimed at environmental monitoring to support global environmental challenges and shall be part of a system that targets the "Open Ecosystem for Digital Ocean".

Kongsberg Maritime Subsea in Horten (KMS) continuously seeks to create new innovations in underwater acoustics and marine robotics, both in existing and new markets, and they are world leaders for products in the high end of the market for these technologies. Acoustic sensors are widely used for underwater communication and data collection on vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles and stationary platforms, for monitoring and control in applications such as environmental monitoring in the marine and aquaculture industry. KMS is to develop new acoustic sensors for high speed wireless underwater communication and data collection. Wireless underwater communication will be increasingly important in the future and will find many new applications. KMS aims to be the global leader in this by providing world class complete communication systems for online data from the seabed, via cloud system, to stations on land. An important part of project ComPolyMer is to research and develop new polymer materials, new sensor designs and associated production processes that enhance the acoustic properties of the sensors, while reducing manufacturing cost and provide the future potential for a greater degree of automation in production. In this research KMS will cooperate with Conpart and SINTEF Industry, and also involve its Norwegian core suppliers in order to develop an efficient supply chain and to promote increase value creation in Norway. The primary innovation objective of ComPolyMer is to combine advanced material technology with new production processes to create the next generation of acoustic sensors with focus on high performance and reduced production cost. The primary objective of the R&D activities is to develop polymer materials and design solutions for the use in acoustic sensors with high performance, low cost and simplified production.