Comments: (pdf)
Ref.: Underwater Communications and Network Conf., Lerici (Italy), September 2022
Abstract:
Low probability of detection underwater acoustic communications are required for command and control of mobile
underwater platforms performing covert missions. To deal with multipath and increase the signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR) at the receiver, this paper present a study on the low probability of detection communications using a
single vector sensor. Compact in size, vector sensors (VS) are suitable for autonomous underwater vehicles,
measuring both acoustic pressure and particle velocities, and therefore providing diversity gain. As part of
the multidisciplinary EMSO-PT project, an experiment took place off the coast of Algarve (Portugal) on Nov
24th, 2021. A single 2D VS was posed on the bottom. Broadband signals were transmitted from several positions,
varying both the source-receiver range and the direction of arrival. Recorded noise was added to the signals
to reduce the SNR from 0 to −10 dB. A superimposed training passive time-reversal approach was employed for
equalization. Coherent communication performance was evaluated. Results show that VS multichannel combining
may provide an average SNR and mean squared-error gain of up to 9.4 and 3.1 dB, respectively, compared to
the pressure channel.