Characterization of Harbor Environments Using Passive Acoustic Means
Abstract
The use of active sonar to map shallow water environments is a common practice; however, it is not always practical or possible to use. Active sonar is not covert, and it exposes marine life to high intensity sound. The use of passive sonar to characterize subsurface harbor environments allows for increased maritime domain awareness with a smaller acoustic signature, favorable for environmentally sensitive and restricted environments. Previously, passive sonar has been successfully used to gain information about the subsurface environment. Successful studies determining bottom composition and sediment layering have been conducted, providing a quantifiable metric of the similarities between post-processed passive and active sonar data, demonstrating the utility of collecting and processing ambient noise within the water column. This study explores the feasibility of expanding the use of passive sonar methods to determine geometric information in harbor environments, characterized by multiple vertical boundaries. Using a three-dimensional ray acoustic model coupled with field work in Santa Cruz Harbor, the paths available for acoustic arrays were explored to determine the amount of information that can be gathered passively in this type of environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213101
Entities
People
- Lauren T Baguley
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School