In a fathometer depth sounder, which device transmits and receives the acoustic signal?

In a fathometer depth sounder, which device transmits and receives the acoustic signal?

• A. Sensor
• B. Transducer
• C. Receiver
• D. Antenna

Answer: (B)

In a fathometer, the same component both sends out the acoustic pulse and listens for the returning echo. That dual-function device is the transducer. It uses piezoelectric material to convert electrical energy into sound waves to probe the water, and once echoes come back, it converts the sound waves back into electrical signals for the instrument to measure the travel time and calculate depth. A sensor can only measure something, a receiver only detects signals without emitting a pulse, and an antenna handles radio waves, not acoustic waves. So the transducer is the best answer because it handles both transmission and reception of the acoustic signal.

In a fathometer, the same component both sends out the acoustic pulse and listens for the returning echo. That dual-function device is the transducer. It uses piezoelectric material to convert electrical energy into sound waves to probe the water, and once echoes come back, it converts the sound waves back into electrical signals for the instrument to measure the travel time and calculate depth. A sensor can only measure something, a receiver only detects signals without emitting a pulse, and an antenna handles radio waves, not acoustic waves. So the transducer is the best answer because it handles both transmission and reception of the acoustic signal.