On August 23-24, 2024, Marine Environment Acoustics and Underwater information Technology Session of the 7th international Conference on Innovation & Cooperation in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering was held at the Beihai Hall of the Qihang Activity Center. A total of 13 scholars from 11 universities and research institutions participated, engaging in in-depth discussions and exchanges on topics related to marine acoustics science and engineering technology, showcasing the latest research achievements in marine and underwater acoustics.

Additionally, on the morning of August 24, the joint industrial project for underwater acoustic communication and underwater terrain imaging successfully conducted its first application demonstration in the Harbin section of the Songhua River. A total of 27 scholars from institutions including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Tianjin University, the Institute of Acoustics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen University, Wuhan University of Technology, and Harbin Engineering University participated in the event. The demonstration focused on underwater acoustic communication, acoustic releaser, and multibeam imaging sonar, with the goal of achieving comprehensive underwater information sensing and interconnection of underwater engineering equipment.

The voice communication device plays a crucial role in diving activities and underwater operations. It not only ensures the safety of divers but also significantly enhances their work efficiency. Divers input voice signals through a microphone, which are then compressed through modulation and encoding processes. The processed signals are transmitted into the water via a transducer. At the receiving end, the decoded voice signals are output to the receiver through headphones, completing the communication process. The device uses time-division multiplexing, enabling full-duplex communication, which can greatly improve communication efficiency.

The multibeam imaging sonar enables high-precision, full-coverage, and comprehensive data measurement, achieving autonomous underwater information acquisition and processing. After capturing the underwater 3D information of rivers, lakes, and seas, it allows for a complete 3D panoramic presentation of the underwater environment. By applying data fusion and analysis algorithms, the efficiency and quality of multibeam sonar data processing are significantly enhanced. By integrating terrain data with water body and fish group data, high-precision 3D underwater terrain models and biological distribution maps can be constructed, enabling accurate 3D panoramic reconstruction of the underwater environment. The development of a real-time data processing and analysis system allows for rapid processing during data acquisition, providing timely updates on underwater terrain and biological activity. This system offers real-time information support for fields such as scientific research, fisheries management, and underwater engineering.

The acoustic release is an essential core device in underwater mooring systems and plays a critical role in marine science, ocean engineering, and marine development. It is one of the most widely used underwater acoustic devices. The acoustic release operates through acoustic remote control and mechanical release. It consists of a surface deck unit and an underwater acoustic release unit. During operation, the underwater release unit receives an acoustic unlock signal from the deck unit, triggering the mechanical locking mechanism to release. Once detached from the seabed anchor weight, the buoy carries the mooring to the surface, allowing for the recovery of marine instruments.

The participating researchers provided a detailed introduction to the principles of various underwater acoustic devices to the representatives involved in the joint research. They also conducted on-site demonstrations of the operation of these devices and allowed the representatives to operate the equipment themselves. All representatives witnessed the test results firsthand. A total of seven domestic and international research institutions expressed their willingness to jointly undertake an industrial research project, and cooperation intention agreements were signed on-site. The signing of these agreements will greatly promote the transition of underwater acoustic devices from theoretical research to engineering applications and strengthen collaboration between experts and scholars in the same field, both domestically and internationally.