NOSC signal processing evaluation laboratory

Abstract

A new acoustic Signal Processing Evaluation Laboratory (SPEL) at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC), San Diego, is described. This laboratory has been designed to support a broad program of research and development of passive and active sonar technology. Full integration of the system allows an analyst to go from multichannel analog tape recorded signals through flexible computer controlled digitization and signal processing such as beamforming, spectral analysis, filtering and detection ending with a high resolution CRT display of the output, all under the control of a central host computer. The system was designed to provide research analysts an efficient and low cost means to develop and evaluate signal processing concepts, to develop full scale system emulations or simulations and to conduct .controlled tests of alternatives through the use of real and simulated data. In addition, the system provides a controlled framework for conducting evaluations of candidate programmable signal processors using real and simulated data. To meet these objectives, the system design capitalizes on the power of new array processor technology and on advanced software concepts to provide the high processing throughput and capability to implement complex processes at a low cost. Combining this technology under the control of a flexible and powerful host. computer provides the analyst with an integrated signal precessing system. The principle subsystems of SPEL are the computer controlled 64 channel analog preprocessor, two high-speed signal processors, a PDP-II/70 An overall system design philosophy is presented, and the details of host computer with hardcopy and color and/or black and white CRT displays. the system and subsystems which realize the design philosophy are given.