Designing practical on-site calibration protocols for acoustic systems: key elements and pitfalls
Michael Butler
Jennifer Norris
Paul Lepper
2134/18315
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/conference_contribution/Designing_practical_on-site_calibration_protocols_for_acoustic_systems_key_elements_and_pitfalls/9554633
Although acoustic systems are increasingly being used for environmental and
noise surveys of marine energy devices, there are currently no standard protocols for the
on-site full bandwidth calibration of these systems. Reports often include little or no
information on the methods of calibration used before, during or after surveys. Without
proper calibration, the sound levels may be far from accurate, leading to skewed
reporting and inaccurate conclusions.
Hydrophone calibrations from internationally recognised standardisation centres, such as
NPL, allow providers to reference their systems to international standards. Marine
renewable energy devices, however, are often deployed in remote areas and it is not
always practical or cost-effective to send every acoustic system to be independently tested
before every deployment. On-site referencing of multiple units to a single standardised
system can help improve calibration traceability. Although this may at first appear
relatively simple, the production of an accurate, full-spectrum calibration, particularly in
real-world test sites, is surprisingly difficult.
2015-07-23 10:46:01
Calibration
Marine energy
Standards
Reporting
Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified