sonar systems

Underwater sound detection

Sonar systems use sound waves to detect and locate objects underwater.

A transmitter emits pulses that bounce off surfaces and return to a receiver, revealing distance, direction, and sometimes shape.

Submarines use sonar to navigate and detect vessels; fishing boats use it to find schools of fish.

The technology also maps ocean floors and locates shipwrecks.

The sonar system picked up something large moving toward us.

Related

naval defense · signal-to-noise ratio · depth charges · bathymetry · fish finder · torpedoes · seafloor · frequency modulation · transmitter · sound waves · pulse · contact · return · ultrasound · silent · navigation · signal · depth

Opposites
detection medium

sonar systemsradar

Radio-wave object detection

radar systems · weather radar · infrared sensors · thermal imaging · optical sensors

detection method

sonar systemspassive listening

Hearing without deliberate focus

visual observation · hydrophones · passive sonar

sensory modality

sonar systemsthermal imaging

Detecting objects by warmth

infrared sensors · visual observation · telescopes · microscopes

Family

system, sonar

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G