Shallow Water Acoustic Backscatter and Reverberation Measurements Using a 68-kHz Cylindrical Array
Shallow Water Acoustic Backscatter and Reverberation Measurements Using a 68-kHz Cylindrical Array

Author: Timothy Cole Gallaudet

Publisher:

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 670

ISBN-13:

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The characterization of high frequency, shallow water acoustic backscatter and reverberation is important because acoustic systems are used in many scientific, commercial, and military applications. The approach taken is to use data collected by the Toroidal Volume Search Sonar (TVSS), a 68 kHz multibeam sonar capable of 360 deg imaging in a vertical plane perpendicular to its direction of travel. With this unique capability, acoustic backscatter imagery of the seafloor, sea surface, and horizontal and vertical planes in the volume is constructed from data obtained in 200 m deep waters in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico when the TVSS was towed 78 m below the surface, 735 m astern of a towship. The processed imagery provides a quasi-synoptic characterization of the spatial and temporal structure of boundary and volume acoustic backscatter and reverberation. Diffraction, element patterns, and high sidelobe levels are shown to be the most serious problems affecting cylindrical arrays such as the TVSS, and an amplitude shading method is presented for reducing the peak sidelobe levels of irregular-line and non-coplanar arrays. Errors in the towfish's attitude and motion sensor, and irregularities in the TVSS's transmitted beampattern produce artifacts in the TVSS-derived bathymetry and seafloor acoustic backscatter imagery. Correction strategies for these problems are described, which are unique in that they use environmental information extracted from both ocean boundaries. Sea surface and volume acoustic backscatter imagery is used to explore and characterize the structure of near-surface bubble clouds, schooling fish, and zooplankton. The simultaneous horizontal and vertical coverage provided by the TVSS is shown to be a primary advantage, motivating further use of multibeam sonars in these applications.

Impact of Littoral Environmental Variability on Acoustic Predictions and Sonar Performance
Impact of Littoral Environmental Variability on Acoustic Predictions and Sonar Performance

Author: Nicholas G. Pace

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 592

ISBN-13: 9401006261

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The limiting influence of the environment on sonar has long been recognised as a major challenge to science and technology. As the area of interest shifts towards the lit toral, environmental influences become dominant both in time and space. The manyfold challenges encompass prediction, measurement, assessment and adaptive responses to maximize the effectiveness of systems. Although MCM and ASW activities are dom inated in different ways and scales by the environment, both warfare areas have had to consider the significantly changing requirements posed by operations in the littoraL The fundamental scientific issues involved in developing models relating acoustics to the environment are matched in difficulty by the need for data for their validation and eventual practical use for prediction. In many instances the need is for on-line adaptation of systems to changing circumstances whilst other needs are for the Ionger term planning activities. This book and the attached full-color CD are the proceedings of a conference organ ised by the SACLANT Undersea Research Centre, held at Villa Marigola, Lerici, Italy, on 16-20 September 2002. The fundamental problems associated with environmental 1 variability and sonar were explored at a previous SACLANTCEN conference in 1990. These problems have not gone away but, on the one hand are exaggerated by the move to the littoral and on the other hand, are open to treatrnent in new ways that advances in technology and computer power allow.

Sea Surface Sound
Sea Surface Sound

Author: B.R. Kerman

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 629

ISBN-13: 9400930178

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In its relentless pursuit of further knowledge, science tends to compartmentalize. Over the years the pursuit of What might be called geophysical acoustics of the sea-surface has languished. This has occured even through there are well-developed and active research programs in underwater acoustics, ocean hydrodynamics, cloud and precipitation physics, and ice mechanics - to name a few - as well as a history of engineering expertise built on these scientific fields. It remained to create a convergence, a dialogue across disciplines, of mutual benefit. The central theme of the Lerici workshop, perhaps overly simplified, was 'What are the mechanisms causing ambient noise at the upper surface of the ocean?' What could hydrodynamicists contribute to a better understanding of breaking wave dynamics, bubble production, ocean wave dynamics, or near-surface turbulence for the benefit of the underwater acoustics community? What further insights could fluid dynamicists gain by including acoustic measurements in their repertoire of instrumentation? While every attendee will have his or her percep tions of details, it was universally agreed that a valuable step had been taken to bring together two mature disciplines and that significant co-operative studies would undoubtedly follow. The scope of the workshop was enlarged beyond its original intent to also include the question of ice-noise generation. The success of this decision can be seen in high quality of the presentations. the contribution of its disciples in the other workshop discussions and the heightened awareness and interest of we other novices.