Predicting the Impact of Seabed Uncertainty and Variability on Propagation Uncertainty
Abstract
Long-term goals are to develop capability for quantifying, predicting and exploiting (QPE) the impact of seabed uncertainty on sonar system performance. The objectives are to: 1) develop techniques required to create a 2D geoacoustic uncertainty model (2D-GeUM) over an operationally significant area, 2) demonstrate techniques to create 2D-GeUM in area off northeast coast of Taiwan, and 3) demonstrate ability of 2D-GeUM to predict propagation uncertainty. In order to predict the impact of seabed geoacoustic uncertainties and variability on propagation uncertainty along a radial of interest, a 2D geoacoustic uncertainty model (2D-GeUM) is required. Such a model quantifies depth- and range-dependent geoacoustic properties and their uncertainties over the area of interest. For the QPE experiment, the ~50 km x 50 km area of interest was off northeast Taiwan, including part of the Chilung shelf, the East China Sea shelf and upper slope. The original approach exploited direct-path wide-angle seabed reflection data and geologic modeling as the basis for generating the 2D-GeUM. The 2D-GeUM is the key model for predicting the impact of seabed uncertainties and variability on TL uncertainties along a specified radial. The approach envisioned collecting sparse, wide-angle reflection data during the QPE experiement site northeast of Taiwan in FY09. However, weather and equipment problems prevented the data from being acquired. In lieu of this, the focus has turned to a spatially densely sampled wide-angle reflection data set from the Malta Plateau in the Mediterranean Sea. A drawback is that analysis of these data would not be expected to shed direct light on the geoacoustic variability in the main QPE experimental area. However, the opportunity is that these data will provide a basis for developing and demonstrating the ability to create high-resolution 2D geoacoustic uncertainty models, a capability the community currently does not have.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA542042
Entities
People
- W. Charles (Wilbur) Holland, Jr.
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University