Measurement of magnetic noise characteristics on select AUVs with some potential mitigation techniques

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the early stage efforts to augment the AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) with an enhanced magnetic detection/localization capability that is inherently unaffected by environmental conditions found in the shallow water environment. Prior to the placement of a sensitive magnetic sensor system on an actual AUV, the magnetic characteristics of the vehicle itself must be measured and their detrimental effects on the sensor mitigated. In particular, this paper discusses techniques for the magnetic characterization of several AUVs and a comparison of these results. It then briefly discusses proposed methods of mitigation and some of the surprising results obtained from candidate platforms. Detailed mitigation techniques and results are presented in a companion paper.