Research on the fabrication of ultra miniature signal transmission nodes for thin line array sensors

Hyungjoon Choi; Seungho Choi; Junki Heo; Jeongeun Yang

doi:10.7776/ASK.2026.45.2.121

All Issue

2026 Vol.45, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Research on the fabrication of ultra miniature signal transmission nodes for thin line array sensors 초세장형 선배열센서를 위한 초소형 신호전송노드 제작 기술 연구

31 March 2026. pp. 121-135

PDF XML

Abstract

Towed linear array sensors offer excellent long-range, low-frequency underwater detection performance but generate hydrodynamic drag during towing, which reduces platform maneuverability. For small platforms such as unmanned underwater or surface vehicles, minimizing drag requires ultra-slim array structures. Achieving such miniaturization demands high-density circuit design, compact component integration, and reduced signal interference and cabling, all of which introduce significant engineering challenges. In this study, we developed ultra-miniature signal transmission nodes that can be placed within a diameter of 30 mm, applying a build-up Printed Circuit Board (PCB) process for circuit integration and adopting a multi-hop network architecture to reduce internal wiring. These techniques enabled efficient spatial utilization within the constrained diameter of the array module, and the ultra-miniature signal transmission nodes were evaluated through electrical performance tests to verify performance optimization and confirm its practical applicability.

Keywords

Build up Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Ultra-miniature signal transmission node

Multi-hope network

Hydrodynamic drag

Diameter minimization

예인형 선배열센서는 장거리 저주파 수중 탐지에 우수한 성능을 제공하지만, 예인 과정에서 유체 항력이 발생하여 플랫폼의 기동성이 저하되는 문제가 있다. 특히 무인 잠수정이나 무인 수상정과 같은 소형 플랫폼에서는 항력을 최소화하기 위해 초세장형 배열 구조가 요구된다. 이러한 소형화를 실현하기 위해서는 고밀도 회로 설계, 정밀한 부품 집적, 신호 간섭 및 배선 감소 등이 필요하며, 이는 다양한 엔지니어링적 도전 요소를 포함한다. 본 연구에서는 회로 집적화를 위해 다층 인쇄회로기판(build-up Printed Circuit Board, PCB)공정을 적용하고, 내부 배선을 줄이기 위해 다중 홉 네트워크(Multi-Hop Network) 아키텍처를 도입한 직경 30 mm 이내 배치 가능한 초소형 신호전송노드를 개발하였다. 이러한 기술들은 제한된 직경 내에서 효율적인 공간 활용을 가능하게 하였으며, 제작된 초소형 신호전송노드는 전기적 성능 시험을 통해 성능 최적화 및 실용성이 검증되었다.

키워드

다층 인쇄회로기판

초소형 신호전송노드

다중 홉 네트워크

유체 항력

직경 최소화

References

S. G. Lemon, “Towed-array history,” IEEE J. Ocean. Eng. 29, 365-373 (2004).

10.1109/JOE.2004.829791

M. Lasky, Richard D. Doolittle, B. D. Simmons, and S. G. Lemon, “Recent progress in towed hydrophone array research”, IEEE J. Ocean. Eng. 29, 374-387 (2004).

10.1109/JOE.2004.829792

J. Heo and B. Roh, “A reduction method of synchronization setup times of whole nodes in multihop network environments,” J. KICS, 43, 2022-2031 (2018).

10.7840/kics.2018.43.12.2022

E. D. Blackshear, M. Cases, E. Klink, S. R. Engle, R. S. Malfatt, D. N. de Araujo, S. Oggioni, L. D. LaCroix, J. A. Wakil, N. H. Pham, G. G. Hougham, and D. J. Russell, “The evolution of build-up package technology and its design challenges,” IBM J. Res. Dev. 49, 641-661 (2005).

10.1147/rd.494.0641

V. Pallayil, M. A. Chitre, and P. D. Deshpande, “A digital thin line towed array for small autonomous underwater platforms,” Proc. Oceans 2007, 1-9 (2007).

10.1109/OCEANS.2007.4449123

K. Takagi, “The recent trend of build-up printed circuit board technologies,” J. Korean Inst. surf. Eng. 32, 289-296 (1999).

S. Narayanan, P. Liu, and S. S. Panwar. “On the advantages of multi-hop extensions to the IEEE 802.11 infrastructure mode,” Proc. IEEE WCNC, 132-138 (2005)

10.1109/WCNC.2005.1424488

P. Pal and P. P. Vaidyanathan. “Nested arrays: A novel approach to array processing with enhanced degrees of freedom,” IEEE Trans. Signal Process, 58, 4167-4181 (2010).

10.1109/TSP.2010.2049264

J. Casca, P. Gupta, M. Gomes, V. Silva, and R. Dinis, “Position accuracy and distributed beamforming performance in Wsns: A simulation study,” Future Internet, 17, 236 (2025).

10.3390/fi17060236

J. Ruze, “Antenna tolerance theory—A review,” Proc. IEEE, 633-640 (2005).

10.1109/PROC.1966.4784

IEC 60268-21:2018, Sound System Equipment - Part 21: Acoustical Output-Based Measurements, 2018.

P. M. Lavrador, N. B. Carvalho, and J. C. Pedro, “Evaluation of signal-to-noise and distortion ratio degradation in nonlinear systems,” IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 52, 813-822 (2004).

10.1109/TMTT.2004.823543

V. O. Knudsen, R. S. Alford, and J. W. Emling, “Underwater ambient noise,” J. mar. Res. 7, 410-429 (1948).

Information

Publisher :The Acoustical Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국음향학회
Journal Title :The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
Journal Title(Ko) :한국음향학회지
Volume : 45
No :2
Pages :121-135
Received Date : 2025-12-11
Revised Date : 2026-02-02
Accepted Date : 2026-02-23
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7776/ASK.2026.45.2.121

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of KoreaISSN:1225-4428(Print) 2287-3775(Online)한국음향학회

All Issue