Distributed signal acquisition systems for sonar applications

The authors demonstrate that compact low-cost low-power sonar signal acquisition systems with wide dynamic range have been produced routinely using noise-shaping convertors implemented in hybrid thick-film and surface mount technologies. They outline convertor topologies exploiting the available passive component matching. Digital circuitry has been fabricated using custom ASIC technology. High-performance multichannel systems can be assembled for various applications ranging from a few hundred Hz (narrowband towed array systems) to 100 kHz (mine hunting)