What is the full form of SONAR?

The full form of SONAR is Sound Navigation and Ranging. It is a technique involving the use of propagation of sound for navigation, also can be used for distant object detection and interaction with other objects. SONAR has a wide range of application areas undersea such as submarine interaction and submarine route planning.

The first man to use the SONAR concept was Leonardo da Vinci who, in 1490, placed a tube into the water to hear the noise of other vessels.

Working principle of SONAR

An ultrasonic sound beam is generated and travels via the seawater that is transmitted by the transducer. Whenever it reflects an echo is made which the sensor detects and records. We are then converted into electric signals.

Types of SONAR

The two types of technology falling under the name ‘SONAR’ involve

• Active SONAR
• Passive SONAR

Active Sonar

• Which involves sound wave emission and waiting for the echo to return.
• It has a receiver and transmitter.
• The transmitter produces the high-frequency sound waves in the specified direction, and the receiver receives the reproduced high-frequency sound waves from the target back.
• Some animals use the echolocation method(Active sonar) to locate the murderers and target. Examples Whales, dolphins etc.

Passive Sonar

• Which is involved in listening to the sounds produced by underwater objects
• It only has a receiver.
• It points out the noise coming from objects underwater. It detects just the waves of sound that pass through the receiver and produces no sound waves of its own.
• It’s useful for underwater research missions because they don’t want to be identified.

Benefits of SONAR

• SONAR is indeed the only best tool we have for detecting underwater objects. SONAR is beneficial for finding the water depth, for navigating for all reasons.
• SONAR is appropriate for writing various activities within the water.
• When we equate radar or light waves with SONAR, isn’t much in the water weakens within.
• It is a precise method.
• It’s inexpensive, and not too expensive to afford.

Limitations Of SONAR

• There are numerous huge animals within the sea. The waves that the SONAR is creating damage to this aquatic life. Those waves endanger animals such as whales, dolphins, etc.,
• Based on the sound level produced by it creates a lot of sounds.