Performance of a low-frequency, multi-resonant broadband Tonpilz transducer

The underwater performance of a high-power multi-resonant Tonpilz transducer with a nearly flat frequency response and a power handling capability of 2 kW (peak) is reported here. A maximum transmitting voltage response (TVR) value of 156 dB re: 1 muPa/V at 1 m has been achieved at 3 kHz with a specially designed matching coil. A maximum receiving sensitivity (RS) of -164 dB re: 1 V/muPa at 3 kHz has been measured without using a matching coil. The horizontal half-power beam width of the transducer at 4 kHz is 101 degrees with a directivity index of 4 dB. This transmitter can be used for oceanographic applications such as subbottom profiling as well as long-range underwater communication. (C) 2002 Acoustical Society of America.