Proposals for Enhancing the Auditory Presentation of Passive Sonar Information
Abstract
Since the Second World War, visual displays have increasingly replaced auditory displays for the presentation of passive sonar sounds. Visual displays have proven more suitable for processing the low frequency, long duration, narrowband sounds picked up by passive sonar systems. However, the ability to detect and classify transients has been degraded as a result of this change. Moreover, the visual modality is becoming increasingly overloaded. As a result, there is interest in reviving the auditory display. However, an auditory display is not likely to be useful unless methods are developed for enhancing the the incoming data before presenting it aurally. Based on existing knowledge of human auditory capabilites and the passive sonar environment, possible enhancements include filtering, frequency shifting, and temporal compression to improve the detectability of low frequency, narrowband sounds, temporal compression and binaural presentation to improve the efficiency of processing multiple beams, and cueing to assist the recognition process. Most of these are feasible, but there is little direct research on their utility for improving the processing of passive sonar information aurally. A research programme is proposed for evaluating the different enhancements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA593799
Entities
People
- Robert Arrabito
- Sharon M. Mcfadden
Organizations
- DRDC Toronto