AOH-OCTOPUZ
All-Optical Hydrophone Array System
Advanced underwater acoustic sensing with power-over-fibre technology. No electrical power on the sensing line, No subsea infrastructure — 100km+ range on a single-mode fibre.
Technology
Product Overview
The AOH-OCTOPUZ is an all-optical underwater hydrophone system developed by PhoenixZ for long-range, high-security and high-fidelity acoustic monitoring. Using a proprietary passive optical transducer, it converts standard high-sensitivity hydrophone signals directly into optical form, enabling transmission over 100 km of optical-fibre without electrical power in the sensing line. This architecture delivers exceptional reliability, immunity to EMI, high security and suitability for permanent subsea deployment.
Product Datasheet
Optical-Only Signal and Power Delivery Path
No electrical power and no supporting infrastructure along the sensing line. Its fully optical power delivery and signal transmission architecture enables simple deployment, long-distance operation, and maintenance-free performance, significantly reducing system complexity, cost, and failure risk in subsea environments.
100km+ Range
Ultra-long-range operation on a single-mode fibre optic cable. The Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) can be located over 100 kilometres from the sensing point.
High Sensitivity
Sensitivity of -190 dB re 1V/µPa (±3 dB) with 100–120 dB dynamic range and low noise floor. Compact and lightweight — deployable by a two-person team or ROV.
Applications
Where AOH-OCTOPUZ Operates
Defence & Security
Seabed surveillance networks, towed sonar arrays, anti-submarine warfare support, and autonomous underwater platform sensing.
- —Seabed surveillance
- —Anti-submarine warfare
- —Autonomous platforms
Oceanography
Marine ecosystem monitoring, ambient noise studies, and seismic event detection with high-fidelity underwater acoustic data capture.
- —Marine ecosystems
- —Ambient noise studies
- —Seismic monitoring
Offshore Energy
Long-range monitoring of pipelines and long-haul fibre-optic cables, subsea assets, and structural integrity in demanding marine conditions.
- —Pipeline monitoring
- —Long-haul fibre-optic cables
- —Structural integrity
- —Subsea assets
Wet End
Optical Hydrophone
The AOH-OCTOPUZ hydrophone converts underwater acoustic signals into optical data using a proprietary passive transducer based on liquid crystal technology. Housed in a corrosion-resistant aluminium, acrylic, and stainless steel enclosure, it is compact enough for two-person deployment or ROV installation.
Hydrophone Specifications
- Housing
- Aluminium / Acrylic / SS
- Diameter
- ⌀100mm
- Length (without hydrophone)
- 200mm
- Length (with hydrophone)
- 600mm
- Weight
- 2kg / Neutral buoyancy
- Cable
- >100km SM Fibre
- Sensitivity
- -190 dB re 1V/µPa (±3 dB)
- Dynamic Range
- 100–120 dB
- Noise Floor
- 40–60 dB re 1 µPa²/Hz
- Max Acoustic Input
- 190–200 dB re 1 µPa
RTU Specifications
- Power per Channel
- 12W
- Max Channels
- 8
- Connector
- 2× LC-APC Duplex SM
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi + Ethernet
- Display
- LCD
- Data
- Real-time webpage + Logging
- Power Supply
- ±12–18V DC / 24V / 240V AC
- Form Factor
- 19" Rackmount 4U
- Dimensions
- 482.6 × 177.8 × 255mm
Dry End
Remote Terminal Unit
The RTU receives optical signals from the hydrophone array and converts them to standard Ethernet output for integration with existing data systems. Housed in a standard 19-inch 4U rackmount chassis, it supports up to 8 channels and can be located over 100km from the sensing point.
Research
White Papers
Liquid Crystal-Based Hydrophone Arrays
Research paper on the optical hydrophone technology underlying the AOH-OCTOPUZ system.
PDFDownload →Optical Response of Homeotropically Aligned Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal
Technical paper on fibre optic acoustic measurement principles and applications.
PDFDownload →Optically Interrogated Liquid Crystal-Based, Charge-Mode Accelerometer Telemetry
Research on optically interrogated accelerometer telemetry using liquid crystal transduction.
PDFDownload →Recognition
Exhibitions & Awards
Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition
The AOH-OCTOPUZ system was showcased at the Indo Pacific 2025, where it won the Emerging Technology Award.
Our People
The Team
Dr. Zourab Brodzeli
CEO
The founder and CEO of PhoenixZ Pty Ltd, leading the commercialization of advanced photonics and fiber-optic sensing technologies for mining safety, subsea monitoring, and industrial applications. A physicist by training, Dr. Brodzeli has extensive experience in research, engineering, and technology transfer, with a strong focus on turning innovative science into practical, real-world solutions. He drives PhoenixZ's strategic vision, product development, and industry partnerships, working closely with clients and collaborators to deliver robust, intrinsically safe sensing systems that enhance safety, security, and operational performance across critical infrastructure sectors.
Dr Adrian Carter
Director & Strategic Technology Advisor
Dr Adrian Carter is an internationally recognised expert in specialty optical fibre technology and the former founder and Chief Technology Officer of Coherent-Nufern. Over a career spanning research, technology development and commercialisation, he has made pioneering contributions to the design, fabrication and application of specialty optical fibres, including fibres for high-power laser and amplifier systems. He has published extensively and holds numerous U.S. patents covering various aspects of optical fibre technology.
Adrian is a Fellow of SPIE, Optica and the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP), reflecting his internationally recognised contribution to photonics and optical-fibre technology. At PhoenixZ, he brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise, experience in taking advanced photonics technologies from research through to commercial products, and first-hand experience in building and growing a technology company. His expertise provides PhoenixZ with strategic guidance across optical and fibre technologies, product development and commercialisation.
Fernan Bautista
Mechanical Engineering and Production
Drives the mechanical development of our devices with a focus on precision and reliable design. Enjoys tackling the unique challenges of hardware built for extreme environments, turning complex technical needs into operational systems that perform across a variety of fields.
George Triantafillou
Electronics Engineer
George Triantafillou is an Electronics Engineer specialising in electronic hardware design, PCB development, embedded systems and firmware engineering. He graduated with Honours in Electrical Engineering from the University of Technology Sydney and has successfully developed multiple electronic products that have progressed into commercial production. His experience spans the agriculture, medical and mining sectors, providing him with a strong background in designing reliable, high-performance electronic systems for demanding industrial applications.
George has expertise in analogue and digital electronics, mixed-signal circuit design, PCB layout, embedded firmware development, hardware integration and system testing. He also has expertise in the design of Intrinsically Safe (IS) electronic hardware in accordance with the requirements of IEC 60079-0 and IEC 60079-11, enabling the development of equipment for hazardous industrial environments. His combination of technical expertise, practical engineering experience and commitment to innovation contributes to the development of advanced sensing and monitoring technologies for mining, defence and other industrial applications.
David Elishua
Consultant, Electrical Engineering (IS)
Brings our hardware to life by managing the electronic architecture and embedded systems. Dedicated to creating the smart logic and circuit designs that keep our systems connected and functioning perfectly, even in the most challenging settings.
Michael Raikhman
Consultant, Electronics Engineering
Michael Raikhman is a highly skilled Electronics Engineering Consultant, specialising in system and component level electronics hardware design and development for R&D and manufacturing applications.
Michael is an expert in RF/Microwave, fibre optical and mixed signals schematics design and PCB layout, developing products for Telecommunications, Radio Communications, IoT, industrial and medical applications. He graduated from the Moscow Technical University of Telecommunications and Informatics with an Honours Degree in Broadcasting and Radio Communication Engineering.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Contact us for specifications, pricing, and partnership opportunities.
Message Sent
Thank you for reaching out. We'll get back to you shortly.