Graphical Array Placement Program (GAPP): A New Tool to Aid in the Design of Acoustic Arrays

Array design can be a tedious task, especially for large arrays. In order to maximize array performance, receiver placement should incorporate factors such as detection range and line-of-sight. Most researchers will aim to maximize coverage area while insuring maximum detection probability. This can be a slow and difficult process when done by hand. GAPP is a new graphic array design program, developed at the Hammond Bay Biological Station, Millersburg, MI. The program utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI), allowing users to easily manipulate the location (latitude and longitude) and parameters of a given receiver (ID, detection range, and instrument elevation). The program instantaneously calculates a detailed coverage area based on estimated detection range, incorporating bathymetry when available. For positional arrays, the program also includes the option to place sync tags, automatically determining which neighboring receivers are within range and line-of-site. In addition, the swimming behavior of the study species (i.e., benthic vs. pelagic) can be factored into the coverage area calculations. We will demonstrate the utility of this program, using our large VPS array (150 receivers) in the Drummond Island Lake Trout Refuge, Lake Huron, as an example.