Issued patent
Infrasound Sensor Technology
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
NASA Langley Research Center scientists have developed a microphone that detects infrasound, i.e., acoustic waves ranging from 20 Hz frequencies down to dc. Infrasound is emitted in a number of hazardous atmospheric phenomena, including aircraft wake vortices, clear air turbulence, and tornadoes. It is also emitted by seismic events, such as underground nuclear tests, digging of tunnels, etc. Infrasound propagates hundreds of miles and can penetrate walls, mountains and other obstacles without loss. The NASA infrasound sensor filters out wind noise that can interfere with detection, while using less power and much less space than currently available solutions. As a result, the NASA infrasound sensor can detect tornadoes and clear air turbulence hundreds of miles away; an array of 30 could cover the entire continental US. Aircraft wake vortices can be detected in real time by microphone arrays placed along an airport runway.