International Hydroacoustic Workshop 2024

LOCATION
Vienna International Centre
Vienna, Austria 
(Note: In case of an unforeseen contingency the workshop can be held in an online format)

DATES
9 - 11 September 2024
 

LANGUAGE
The working language will be English
 

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the workshop are to support the CTBTO verification regime by creating a forum for scientific knowledge exchange on three main topics:

• Technological advancements in marine engineering pertinent to the sustainability and improvement of the hydroacoustic component of CTBT’s International Monitoring System;
   
• Data analysis and signal processing methods for CTBT verification purposes; and 
   
• 3-D modelling for long-range hydroacoustic signal propagation.

THEMES
Technological advancements in marine engineering pertinent to the sustainability and improvement of the hydroacoustic component of CTBT’s International Monitoring System (IMS):

1. Technology and engineering trends in Ocean Observatories, with emphasis on technologies and trends pertinent to the IMS hydroacoustic networks: a) Risk mitigation in design, installation and operation of submarine cabled-to-shore systems, and b) data monitoring for early/predictive identification of sensor degradation to improve maintenance;
    
2. Longevity and sustainability of modular ocean observation systems and maintainability challenges in environmentally difficult locations, including operational aspects related to the use of Remotely Operated underwater Vehicles in the maintenance of such systems; 
    
3. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems for passive ocean acoustics: installation, sustainment, longevity and detection performance comparison with pertinent hydrophone systems;
    
4. Ocean Decade Projects and Initiatives on passive ocean monitoring and SMART telecommunications cables;
    
5. Hydroacoustic data analysis and signal processing methods for event detection, location, and CTBT verification purposes;
    
6. Scientific and civil applications of IMS hydroacoustic data analysis, including vDEC projects;
    
7. Ocean soundscape measurements and applications using IMS hydroacoustic data;
    
8. Seismoacoustic data processing from submarine cables: current methods and future directions; 
    
9. Estimation and modelling of 3-D propagation effects on low-frequency (<100 Hz) hydroacoustic signals propagating in the ocean; 
    
10. Ocean acoustics tomography and thermometry, both passive and active;
     
11. Acoustic-seismic and seismic-acoustic transfer functions at coastal seismometers: estimation and modelling. 

As always, CTBT-related contributions on additional relevant topics are also welcome.
 

PARTICIPANT PROFILE
The workshop is aimed towards all scientists, engineers and other persons involved in hydroacoustics, ocean observatories, acoustic sensor technologies, cabled and autonomous underwater systems and related fields.

Please be informed that the Provisional Technical Secretariat solicits presentations and posters from participants on the topics of the Workshop. 
 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Applicants are requested to register online at the Commission’s CTNW platform https://ctnw.ctbto.org by the registration deadline of 29 March 2024. 

Financial support may be available to a limited number of participants. Such assistance must be requested at the time of registration (by selecting the relevant box during online registration) and no later than 29 March 2024. 

Financial support will be considered only for those who have submitted an abstract that will be accepted. Participants are strongly encouraged to first seek travel and participation funds from non-CTBTO sources.

State Signatories wishing to nominate experts are requested to inform the Provisional Technical Secretariat (See Administrative Point of Contact) through their respective Permanent Mission by the deadline set for application.
 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
Applicants are invited to submit an abstract relevant to the objectives of the Workshop at https://ctnw.ctbto.org/ before the 29 March 2024.

Applicants will be prompted to select whether they prefer a poster or an oral presentation.


FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Applicable to PTS-funded participants only

In accordance with the Staff regulations and rules and Administrative Directives, the PTS will provide the following:

• A Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) that is sufficient to cover the related expenses during the workshop program will be paid on the first day of the workshops to the participants; 
• The PTS travel agent will reserve, issue and forward the flight ticket to the participants for the most direct and economic route;
• Funded participants are not allowed to purchase their own tickets unless, under exceptional circumstances, be authorized to do so and only if this proves to be most cost efficient for the PTS;
• The PTS will book a hotel and cover the costs for the accommodation; and
• Health insurance will be provided that covers the duration of the workshop. 

Requirement: Scanned passport copies.
 

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Visas
Participants should apply for visas, if needed, at the corresponding consular office upon receipt of an Acceptance Note Verbale from the PTS, in order to ensure timely processing. 

Presentations
PowerPoint presentations shall not exceed 20 minutes. Posters should be in either A0 or B1 portrait format. 

e-Learning
Access to relevant e-learning modules will be provided to participants in advance