Researcher(s)
- Jaime Nunez-Zavala, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
- Brendan Glass, Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Mohsen Badiey, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Acoustic monitoring plays a critical role in studying marine environments by capturing underwater acoustic data. The University of Delaware’s ECE OAELab currently uses proprietary devices to record acoustic data, which are used in machine learning applications that require large volumes of data. This demand created an opportunity to design a low-cost, lab-developed recording device with performance comparable to commercially available systems. Similar systems were developed over the past two summers. While functioning during experimental testing, they failed in real-world field deployments. This project aimed to address those limitations by implementing a simplified architecture and a more robust power system, resulting in the first successful underwater deployment of a lab-built acoustic monitoring device. The new system features two channels for acoustic data and a third channel for temperature data on a custom-designed printed circuit board (PCB), were developed to fit the tight enclosure and powered by an internal battery system. Data is stored locally for post-retrieval analysis. The device was deployed in three separate experiments, at the Delaware Bay and at Ashumet Pond in Massachusetts, two of which were successful. The receiver recorded test signals, boat traffic, and ambient underwater noise, validating the system’s performance in field conditions. This work demonstrates a functional and cost-effective alternative to proprietary systems and lays the foundation for future improvements in lab-controlled acoustic tools. It supports the broader goal of enabling scalable and adaptable marine acoustic research through low-cost, internally developed systems.