Definition

Noun: 1. A pulse generator used for echo sounding in sonar: A device that emits regular, short bursts of sound (pings) underwater. The time it takes for the echo to return is used to measure distance, typically for navigation, depth finding, or detecting objects.

Usage

The word "pinger" is a technical term primarily used in the contexts of marine technology, oceanography, and underwater navigation. It refers to the specific device that creates the acoustic signal.

Examples

• The submarine's pinger activated to help search teams locate the wreckage on the ocean floor.
• Scientists attached a pinger to the whale to track its migratory patterns via acoustic telemetry.
• The depth sounder uses a pinger to measure the distance to the seabed.

Advanced Usage

• Acoustic pinger: Often used to specify the type, distinguishing it from other locator devices.
  • The flight data recorder was equipped with an underwater acoustic pinger.
• Pinger location: Refers to the process or act of finding something using the sound from a pinger.
  • The success of the recovery mission depended on pinger location.

Variants and Related Words

• Ping (noun/verb): The short, high-pitched sound itself, or the act of sending such a signal. "The sonar system sent out a ping." / "The device pings every few seconds."
• Sonar (noun): The broader technology system for underwater detection that uses pingers (Sound Navigation And Ranging).
• Transducer (noun): A more general term for a device that converts energy from one form to another; a pinger is a type of acoustic transducer.

Synonyms

• Acoustic beacon
• Sonar transducer (in this specific function)
• Pulse emitter

Related Phrases

• Pinger responder: A device that listens for a ping and automatically sends back a reply signal.
• To deploy a pinger: To activate or place a pinger into operation.
  • They will deploy a pinger to mark the location of the underwater sensor array.

Noun

1. a pulse generator used for echo sounding in sonar