Abstract:This paper proposes a vector sensor measurement
model and the related Bartlett estimator based on particle velocity
measurements for generic parameter estimation,
illustrating the advantages of the vector sensor array (VSA).
A reliable estimate of the ocean bottom properties such as sediment
compressional speed, density and compressional attenuation based in matched-field inversion (MFI)
techniques can be achieved using a small aperture VSA. It is shown that the VSA improves
the resolution of bottom parameters estimation when compared with hydrophone arrays.
The VSA data considered herein were acquired by a four element VSA in the 8-14kHz band,
during the Makai Experiment 2005. The results obtained with MFI techniques are compared
with the method proposed by C. Harrison consisting in determining the bottom reflection
loss as the ratio between the upward and downward beam responses. Results show a good
agreement and are in line with the historical information for the area.
The particle velocity information increases significantly the resolution of
bottom properties estimation and in some cases reliable results are obtained
using only the vertical component of the particle velocity. Additionally, the possibility
of using the VSA with high-frequency signals is proposed for developing compact
and easy-to-deploy systems for towed underwater platforms.