Synchronization of Acoustic Sensors in a Wireless Network

Sammanfattning: Geographically distributed networks of acoustic sensors can be used to identify and localize the origin of acoustic phenomena. One area of use is localization of snipers by detecting the bullet's shock wave and the muzzle blast. At FOI Linköping, this system is planned to be adapted from a wire bounded sensor network into a wireless sensor network (WSN). When changing from wire bounded communication to wireless, the issue of synchronization becomes present. Synchronization can be achieved in multiple ways with different benefits depending of the method of choice. This thesis studies the synchronization method of using the highly accurate clock in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) modules. This synchronization method is developed into an independent time stamping device that can be connected to each sensor in the WSN. This ensure that all sensors are synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The thesis starts with a pre-study where different solutions are investigated and evaluated. After the pre-study, a development stage is begun where the best solution is developed into a model to be easily implemented in the future. The result is a model existing of a microcontroller, a timing module and an ADC with built in filter and amplification.