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An echolocation visualization and interface system for dolphin research

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Author

Summary, in English

The present study describes the development and testing of a tool for dolphin research. This tool was able to visualize the dolphin echolocation signals as well as function as an acoustically operated “touch screen”. The system consisted of a matrix of hydrophones attached to a semi-transparent screen, which was lowered in front of an underwater acrylic panel in a dolphin pool. When a dolphin aimed its sonar beam at the screen, the hydrophones measured the received sound pressure levels. These hydrophone signals were then transferred to a computer where they were translated into a video image that corresponds to the dynamic sound pressure variations in the sonar beam and the location of the beam axis. There was a continuous projection of the image back onto the hydrophone matrix screen, giving the dolphin an immediate visual feedback to its sonar output. The system offers a whole new experimental methodology in dolphin research and since it is software-based, many different kinds of scientific questions can be addressed. The results were promising and motivate further development of the system and studies of sonar and cognitive abilities of dolphins.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

1188-1194

Publication/Series

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America

Volume

123

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Topic

  • Medical Engineering

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1520-8524