Cooperative Underwater Surveillance Networks (COUSIN)
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Casari P
(2023)
Acoustic projectors make covert bioacoustic chirplet signals discoverable.
in Scientific reports
Lowes G
(2024)
PADAL - Passive Acoustic Detection and Localisation: Low energy underwater wireless vessel tracking network
in Computer Networks
Lowes G
(2022)
Passive Acoustic Detection of Vessel Activity by Low-Energy Wireless Sensors
in Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Talling PJ
(2022)
Longest sediment flows yet measured show how major rivers connect efficiently to deep sea.
in Nature communications
| Description | Energy efficient algorithms and circuit designs for underwater acoustic detection of vessel traffic from their propeller noise. This enables non-cooperative vessels (without transponders) or vessels too small to be visible on radar to be monitored from a device below the water. Once detected they can also be localised by direction finding techniques. A particular novelty is achieving this with very low energy requirement so that a small battery powered instrument can operate for long periods (at least 1 year) underwater without maintenance. |
| Exploitation Route | This has applications in security and environmental protection (detecting unauthorised vessel traffic in protected areas). |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Environment Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | The outputs of this project are being used in a demonstration system and trial for the UK Marine Management Organisation and Joint Maritime Security Centre, to assess the effectiveness of passive acoustic technology developed in the COUSIN project for monitoring vessel traffic in a Marine Protected Area. This pilot deployment, if successful, is is expected to lead to wider application in maritime security and environmental protection in UK and overseas territories. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Security and Diplomacy |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Cybersecurity for Safe Underwater Acoustic Communications |
| Amount | € 340,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | G5884 |
| Organisation | North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 02/2024 |
| Description | MONUSEN |
| Amount | € 1,499,667 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 101060395 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 05/2022 |
| End | 05/2025 |
| Description | Passive Acoustic Monitoring and Localisation |
| Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Home Office |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Preventing, avoiding and mitigating environmental impacts of fishing gears and associated marine litter (NetTag+) |
| Amount | € 2,562,694 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 101112812 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 04/2023 |
| End | 04/2026 |
| Title | Passive Acoustic Detection and Localisation System |
| Description | This is a hardware and software design for a subsea acoustic monitoring device, capable of detecting and localising non-cooperative vessels from their propulsion (propeller) noise. This has applications in security, fisheries enforcement and monitoring vessel traffic in marine protected areas. This is capable of operating autonomously for long periods of at least 1year and wirelessly reporting detection data to shore. |
| Type Of Technology | Detection Devices |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | The technology has been demonstrated in realistic environments and is now the subject of a separate trial/demonstration project for the UK Government (Marine Management Organisation and Joint Maritime Security Centre). |
| Description | Breaking the Surface Workshop - Underwater localisation challenge |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | At the 14th Breaking the Surface Workshop on Marine Robotics (Sept 2024), in Montenegro, approximately 30 postgraduate/undergarduate students took part in an engineering challenge competition using the USMART acoustic modem technology to locate an underwater object. This trained students in underwater positioning methods, acoustic measurements and sea trial activities/boatwork. Local School children also attended the event and were able to witness the challenge activities, see demonstrations of underwater communication and learn about acoustics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Standards committees for sustainable fishing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof Jeff Neasham was invited to take part in BSI and CEN committees defining standards for sustainable fishing and was able to influence aspects on digitalisation of fishing gear using acoustic technologies to reduce marine plastic pollution and bycatch. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |