Abstract: Perfect combinatorial configurations can be used for finding optimal placement of structural elements in spatially distributed sonar or acoustic systems for configure high performance systems with non-uniform structure (e.g. arays of sonar antennas) with respect to positioning precision, and resolving ability, using novel design based on combinatorial configurations such as "Golomb rulers" and difference sets. These design techniques make it possible to configure sonar systems with fewer elements than at present, while maintaining or improving on resolving ability and the other significant operating characteristics of the system.