Theses and Dissertations Collection

The University of Idaho (UI) has worked with the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop a sensor system that can be attached to a small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to make magnetic and electric field measurements in the ocean. This thesis presents the use of the electric field sensor and the process of analyzing measurements taken with it. The sensors were created at the UI and electrodes were used to measure the artificially generated electric fields that were placed in test environments. Measurements of these fields were compared to prediction models to determine the accuracy of the sensors. Tests were performed in lab settings as well as in the ocean which allowed the capability of the sensors to be evaluated. The measurements that were taken were within the target range of ONR’s specifications and further analysis into how to improve and better the sensors was being conducted.