Compact Underwater Electromagnetic Sensor System (CUES) with Internal Data Logging

Commercial underwater electromagnetic (UEM) sensor packages are typically unsuited for ad-hoc standalone deployments and simple transportation methods. Many of these systems are not optimized for multiple sensor types and supporting electronics are typically bulky. The US Navy needs a compact sensor package to support collection of UEM signatures of ships and submarines when operational measurement arrays are not available. The sensor package needs to include three-axis magnetic and electric field sensing along with internal data logging in a form factor that is easy to transport and deploy.ÝQUASAR Federal Systems (QFS) proposes to leverage its underwater sensing technology to develop the required UEM sensor package. In particular, the underwater E-field technology QFS developed for its Aphros and QMax EM3 product lines is well suited to ad hoc deployments expected in this application. The E-field electrodes are inert and are not affected by temperature, salinity changes, or UV exposure. Furthermore, the electrodes have long operational lifetimes (measured in years) and the ability to be cycled indefinitely between wet and dry with no known degradation in performance. QFS will use its experience developing ultra-sensitive analog sensors and low power ADC digital modules to produce a high-quality solution to this Navy requirement.