A Flexible, Open-Source DAQ for Real-Time Multi-Channel Signal Processing on Autonomous Platforms

Here, we share our unique data acquisition (DAQ) system, using an open-source ARM microcontroller SoC, for underwater acoustic beam-forming applications, especially for use on autonomous vehicles. Here, we present our results of performance experiments, demonstrating the speed and accuracy of sampling and processing audio-frequency acoustic signal processing, for a wide variety of signals and sampling regimes. We will demonstrate trade-offs between sampling rates and resolutions for accuracy and speed at desired frequencies, and how these may be dynamically managed by autonomous systems. Finally we will share some of our work, towards underwater acoustic beam-forming using 3D acoustic vector sensors, and our implementation of these devices on unmanned autonomous vehicles.