SELF-CONTAINED ACOUSTICS PLATFORMS FOR PROBING OCEAN SURFACE PROCESSES

This paper describes the capabilities and technical specifications of a pair of high-frequency acoustics platforms, known as Susy and SeaSca n, designed to probe oceanic near-surface processes. These self-contai ned drifters employ six upward-looking conical beam sonars (29-397 kHz ), two 360-degrees steerable sidescans (103 kHz), and several hydropho nes. Both backscattered intensity and Doppler velocity are measured wi th the sonars and sidescans. A detailed description of the mechanical and electronic components is provided. Examples of sonar and sidescan data products from these platforms are shown, including near-surface v ertical and horizontal micro-bubble distributions, and Doppler velocit ies due to waves.