Executive Summary
This thesis details the design, implementation, and testing of a digital fiber-optic interferometric demodulator. It utilizes a passive symmetric demodulation scheme with a 3x3 optical coupler, implemented on a TMS320C31 DSP processor. The goal was to achieve an improved noise floor at low frequencies compared to analog implementations, particularly for fiber optic hydrophone applications.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts interested in advanced sensor technology, specifically fiber-optic hydrophones, and the digital signal processing techniques used to enhance their performance for naval applications. It highlights efforts to improve the sensitivity and dynamic range of underwater acoustic detection systems.
Key Takeaways
- A digital interferometric demodulator was designed and implemented using a TMS320C31 DSP to improve the noise floor at low frequencies for fiber-optic hydrophones.
- The system processes signals from a 3x3 optical coupler, converting analog inputs to digital for differentiation, multiplication, division, and integration.
- The design aimed to overcome limitations of analog implementations, particularly excessive noise at low frequencies, by leveraging 32-bit digital precision.
Strategic Relevance
The development of advanced fiber-optic hydrophones with improved low-frequency noise performance directly contributes to enhanced underwater acoustic surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. This technology can provide a significant tactical advantage in detecting and tracking submerged threats, impacting naval strategy and intelligence gathering.