Low-noise multi-channel underwater electric field measurement and analysis system for a ship model

The underwater electric field (UEF) signature of a ship is a key factor in its survivability in marine warfare. Moreover, the study of a ship's UEF using scale models of ships in pools can be useful for the design of electromagnetically stealthy ships. Aiming at the system requirement of measuring and analyzing the UEF of scale models of ships with low noise, many channels, and real-time responsivity, we developed a system consisting of electrode sensors, a measuring device, and a personal computer (PC). Small Ag/AgCl electrodes with low noise and high stability were used. The measuring device was capable of simultaneously amplifying, sampling, and storing 24 channels of UEF data in real-time, and it was connected to the PC via Ethernet to facilitate the transfer of UEF data at high speeds. The PC software could display 24 low-frequency UEF curves in real time and perform spectral analysis and filtering of the UEF signals. In system performance tests, we found that the system had a noise floor lower than 6.34 nV/rt(Hz)@1 Hz and could simultaneously sample 24 channels of UEF signals while storing, displaying, and analyzing the signals in real-time. The primary functions of the system were also validated in a pooled experiment.