active sonar

(engineering) A system consisting of one or more transducers to send and receive sound, equipment for the generation and detection of the electrical impulses to and from the transducer, and a display or recorder system for the observation of the received signals.

A method developed in 1918 for locating a submarine or other underwater body by measuring its distance and direction by “bouncing” a sound signal off of it. Also known as asdic.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

Mode of echo location by sending a signal and detecting the returning echo.