A system and method are provided to supply power to and to communicate with an
array of remote devices. The remote devices can be acoustic sensors or types of
remote devices. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a microwave source/signal
demodulator that supplies wireless power and provides data interrogation signals
to the sensors. The microwave transmission line is of a stripline construction.
The source/demodulator radiates power to the sensor transceivers and receives data
from the sensors. The source/demodulator can transmit sequential interrogation
signals to activate address-selectable sensors. The source/demodulator may also
decode received signals returning from the sensors. The stripline may be attached
to a vessel's hull beneath a hull treatment layer and the sensors mounted on the
surface of the hull treatment.