SiPLABoratory

High - Frequency Initiative Joint Research Project (HFi-JRP)

This collaboration addresses the improvement in understanding the propagation and scattering of high frequency acoustic waves (1-50 kHz) in the presence of oceanographic parameter variability in shallow water regions. This research will benefit understanding of uncertainty in acoustic communication signals due to variability in the environmental physical parameters. The modeling effort seeks to explain, and ultimately predict, the factors that significantly alter operational effectiveness of Acoustic Communications for applications such as the AUV, ASW and MCM detection and classification systems. The obtained knowledge will be utilized to establish basis for Barrier systems, Sonar detection (environmentally adaptive active sonar), AUV communication, AUV based tomography, environmental assessment using passive (ambient noise) array processing and mine counter measure.

This proposal addresses the improvement in understanding the propagation and scattering of high frequency acoustic waves (1-50 kHz) in the presence of oceanographic parameter variability in shallow water regions. This research will benefit understanding of uncertainty in acoustic communication signals due to variability in the environmental physical parameters. Both data collection and modeling efforts are proposed in the tasks. Field tests are planned to characterize the propagation as a function of 1) source/receiver geometry, 2) arrival angle, 3) carrier (central) frequency, 4) ocean volume structure, 5) bottom type and roughness, and 6) boundary dynamics, including effects of surface waves, bubbles, and noise. Much of the characterization will depend on accurate propagation modeling. The modeling effort seeks to explain, and ultimately predict, the factors that significantly alter operational effectiveness of Acoustic Communications for applications such as the AUV, ASW and MCM detection and classification systems. The obtained knowledge will be utilized to establish basis for Barrier systems, Sonar detection (environmentally adaptive active sonar), AUV communication, AUV based tomography, environmental assessment using passive (ambient noise) array processing and mine counter measure.

• to examine the propagation of acoustic waves for frequencies of 1-50 kHz in shallow water environment in presence of physical parameter variability
• to evaluate the status of the existing acoustic models and establish new predictive models for this frequency regime.