Inferring Bottom Acoustic Properties from AN/SQQ-32 Sonar Reverberation Data in Order to Reduce False Targets in Bottom/Buried Mine Detection

Abstract

Bottom/sub bottom geoacoustic properties must be determined to high spatial resolution in order to reduce false targets for bottom/buried mine detection. Inversion techniques (ITs) are used to infer bottom geoacoustic properties using AN/SQQ-32 beam reverberation level (RL) time series data acquired in Rhode Island Sound in February 1993. A technique was developed wherein the deviation of the RL for an individual ping and beam from an area-wide average RL is used to generate geo-referenced maps illustrating the relative reflectivity of the seabed. These geo-plots not only agree with existing descriptions of the sediment distribution, but also provide a highly detailed spatial representation of the bottom geoacoustic distribution. The plots highlight the gross inadequacies, particularly in spatial resolution, of existing information on bottom geoacoustic properties and the difficulties of using such algorithms as Lambert's Law to characterize the RL. These plots, when produced using appropriately small sample intervals, have sufficient spatial resolution to reveal MCM clutter density information. Geo-referenced maps of relative reflectivity can be an invaluable aid to in developing "realistic" mine hunting time lines especially in a route-survey mode or as a surveying tool to compare clutter densities. These clutter densities are used as a basis for change detection algorithms applied to bottom/buried mine detection. Additionally, they can also be used to identify appropriate geoacoustic parameter inputs for accurate sonar model performance predictions and to provide real time performance monitoring and assessment, (i.e. a capability to revise and modify the search strategy).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA479177

Entities

People

  • Henry H. Howell
  • J. M. Null And
  • James H. Wilson
  • Josette Fabre
  • Robert H. Bourke

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Algorithms
  • Backscattering
  • Classification
  • Databases
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • False Targets
  • Frequency
  • High Resolution
  • Neural Networks
  • Reflectivity
  • Reverberation
  • Rhode Island
  • Roughness
  • Seabed
  • Signal Processing

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML