Acoustic sub-system

Cutting Edge Acoustic Solutions

vlf transducers, fiber-laser hydrophones
custom design studies

Mastering the Art of Shaping

vlf transducers and hydrophones

Over the past 30 years, in close cooperation with several French Navy and International Oceanographic Institute research laboratories,
the iXBlue Sonar Systems Division based in La Ciotat, France, has accumulated a wealth of experience in designing and
manufacturing a wide range of exceptional very low frequency (VLF) fine tuned ceramic transducers.
As a consequence, iXBlue clients benefit from high-end wide-band, flat spectrum transducers, the first stage of any low distortion
acoustic system.
Building on the fiber-optic core know-how that has taken iXBlue to its leading position in technical fiber-optic and inertial systems,
the company has also been able to develop unsurpassed fiber-laser hydrophones (FLH).

Seabell 500 JH 250 fiber-laser
hydrophones

VLF Transducers

that make the difference

Mastering the art of designing and shaping ceramic transducers, iXBlue has patented full ocean-depth solid-state Janus-
Helmholtz (JH) and Janus-Hammer Bell (JHB) VLF transducers that make the difference in subsea acoustic applications.

Seabell 500 world record:
1000km @ 100bits/s (jamstec, Japan).

Based on the JHB technology, the SEABELL 500 transducer is a unique design that
has brought about a tremendous breakthrough in underwater long range acoustic
communication.

Seabell 500 SEABELL 500 applications: shore-to-shore or shore-to-mobile communication (AUV,
vessel), acoustic tomography, geoacoustic inversion.
The JH transducer series (JH 200, JH 250…) offers very low frequency emission
capabilities, hence strong seabed penetration as deep as -6000 m.

JH applications: deep sea seismic source, sub-bottom profiling, acoustic
tomography, geoacoustic inversion.

JH 250 characteristics
of Seabell and JH transducers

• Frequency: 150 to 1000 Hz • High source level > 195 dB @ 2kW*
• Bandwidth > 80% of central frequency • Compact and robust
• Very high efficiency > 60% • 6000 m depth rated

*(ref.1 µPa/V@ 1 m)

JH 200 An integrated solution: for both types of VLF transducer systems, impedance
matching and amplifier are placed in an immersed bottle thus allowing high
power transmission at all depths without line loss.

Ultra High Sensitivity

fiber-laser hydrophones

Building on its fiber-optic excellence, iXBlue has patented a fiber-laser hydrophone (FLH) solution, achieving ultra-high sensitivity
and allowing new defense and civil applications.

features benefits
All-optics technology
Wavelength domain multiplexing (WDM) Electromagnetic discretion and robustness
World record minimum detectable pressure (< DSS0) Low power consumption
Small diameter 32 hydrophones per fiber
Low noise interferometric interrogation system Cable connector complexity reduction
(fiber optic gyroscope technology), laser noise limited Very high dynamic application, passive sonar
Allows ambient noise imaging
Deployable and retrievable antenna
Very small drag acoustic array (UUV)
High dynamic range

characteristics • MDP < DSS0
• Frequency: DC to 5,000 Hz • Dynamic range > 130 dB
• Bandwidth fluctuation: +/-1dB • Crosstalk > 130 dB
• Sensitivity >110 dB (Hz/Pa) (version dependent)

applications • Passive sonar • Submarine and UUV towed-array • Acoustic barrier
• Acoustic daylight imaging • Geophysical data acquisition

Custom Design

acoustic solutions and studies

To solve the increasing challenges that our clients face and to help them carry out
their own missions successfully, iXBlue delivers custom design solutions covering
acoustics, sonar, optical sensors and several electro-acoustic solutions, a full
range of high power / low frequency systems, either off-the-shelf or fully designed
to specifications such as:
Frequency range from 150 Hz to 400 kHz
High power
Wide bandwidth
Shallow water to full ocean
iXBlue’s experience comprises from design of complete solutions and selection of
technology based on piezo electric transducers, modelization of proposed solution,
manufacturing, in-tank and at-sea testing and validation including training and
field support.
Applications and field references are available from our customers in tomography,
physical oceanography, sea-floor mapping, oceanographic survey, broadband
projectors and deep ocean operations.

examples on purpose
of studies acoustic transducer
• Integrated antenna • Flapping tonpilz
• Parametric and harmonic arrays • Free-flooded ring
• Acoustic propagation • Hydrophone for metrology

iXBlue transducers are also designed to be interfaced with iXBlue’s product range
of subsea inertial and positioning solutions such as PHINS, HYDRINS, ROVINS,
GAPS or with other external sensors or systems.
Systems may also be integrated with customer’s existing or custom designed deep
tow or ROV/AUVs to produce a fully integrated geo-referenced system.

iXBlue is an independent worldwide established group serving both the civil and military sectors. 2013-11-BR-Transducer
iXBlue’s mission is to deliver first-rate differentiated technologies, products, systems and integrated solutions for the marine,
maritime, land, aeronautics and spatial industries and allow its customers to achieve their own mission successfully.
iXBlue’s innovative and broad range of solutions are used in inertial navigation, motion systems and simulators, positioning,
seabed mapping and sub-bottom profiling applications.
iXBlue aims to ease the daily job of its end-users involved in oceanography, hydrography, geophysics, offshore, deepsea
mining together with also land and marine defense, search and rescue, and security.

EMEA: +33 1 30 08 88 88 • AMERICAS: +1 888 600 7573 • APAC: +65 6747 4912
www.ixblue.com

OSEAN

UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY

SURFACE
LOGGER

COASTAL
LOGGER

OCEAN VERSATILE
BOTTOM DATA LOGGERS
LOGGER

OSEAN

UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY

Maximum Depth Ocean Bottom Logger Surface Logger Coastal Logger
Power Supply 120/500/1000m NA
Batteries Batteries/Solar Panel NA
Localization
RTC Accuracy NA Batteries/Solar Panel/ 
Embedded Intelligence Electrical outlet

Analog Input GPS NA
Input Channels
Sample Frequency 2ppm (synchronisable by GPS or NTP)

Resolution Multiple programmable data processings
Bandwidth
Low & High Pass Filters Up to 4
Programmable Amplifier 128ksps / 312ksps / 625ksps

Noise Level Input 24 bits
Hydrophone (100m cable) 50kHz/150kHz/300kHz
Numeric Input Adjustable
Serial Link -20dB to 70dB
Data Storage
Global Configuration & 25nVeff√Hz
Data download Up to 4 devices

User Interface Up to 4 (RS232 & RS485) + I2C & SPI
Field Data Transmission Up to 8 SDHC cards
& Configuration TCP/IP
Dimensions
Weight in Air Web browser Iridium/ Iridium/
(varies with configurations) NA 2.4GHz modem / Wifi GPRS / 3G / Ethernet
Sensors
Compas/Inclinometer L1000*ΦD135mm L870*ΦD450mm H400*L300*W200mm
Conductivity From 16Kg
Temperature 25Kg 20Kg
Depth
Turbidity Yes NA specifications subject to change without notice patent pending version V0
Sound Velocity Yes
Fluorescence Yes
Dissolved Oxygen Yes
pH Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

OSEAN SAS - ZAE La Bayette - 83220 Le Pradet - France
Tel: +33 (0)4 94 03 65 84 - Fax: +33 (0)4 94 66 62 32 - www.osean.fr - [email protected]

Simplified joint stock company with registered capital of 77000€
451 128 755 R.C.S. TOULON - SIRET 451 128 755 00035 - APE 2612Z - TVA CEE FR 82 451 128 755