2019_programme: ACOUSTIC SCATTERING FROM AN OBJECT IN A MUD LAYER OF A SHALLOW WATER WAVEGUIDE

• Session: 17. Modeling techniques for underwater acoustic scattering and propagation
  Organiser(s): Gunderson Aaron, Isakson Marcia
• Lecture: ACOUSTIC SCATTERING FROM AN OBJECT IN A MUD LAYER OF A SHALLOW WATER WAVEGUIDE [invited]
  Paper ID: 855
  Author(s): Kargl Steven, Williams Kevin, Espana Aubrey
  Presenter: Kargl Steven
  Presentation type: oral
  Abstract: Bay Experiment 2014 (BAYEX14) collected low-frequency synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) data in St. Andrew's Bay, Panama City, FL. Inert ordnance, scientific targets, and some clutter objects were distributed in the field of view of the SAS system. The environment is roughly characterized by a 7-m water depth with a mud layer over a sand sediment subbottom. The layer thickness varies from 15 to 30 cm. All objects deployed in BAYEX14 sank into the mud layer. Large targets were partially buried and came to rest on the underlying sand sediment; while small targets were completely buried. Modifications to the APL-UW target in the environment response (TIER) model were required to account for propagation paths within the mud layer. Simulations and comparisons to BAYEX14 data suggest that the primary contribution to the received scattered signal is the direct scattering ray path. The SAS platform was near the middle of the water column. For objects with horizontal ranges from the SAS platform that exceed a few water depths, an air-water reflected ray path can significantly altered the scattered signal and, under calm conditions, ocean surface bounce target images can be formed. These topics will be the focus of this paper. [Work supported by SERDP and ONR.]
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• Corresponding author: Dr Kargl Steven
  Affiliation: Applied Physic Laboratory
  Country: United States
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