Uncertainties associated with parameter estimation in atmospheric infrasound arrays

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Acoustics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Atmospheric infrasound data analysis requires accurate estimation of signal parameters.
• Existing methods may lack robust statistical confidence measures for direction-of-arrival and trace velocity.
• Assumptions of plane-wave propagation and absence of multipath are common in far-field analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for quantifying statistical confidence in infrasound signal parameter estimation.
• To provide practical uncertainties for direction-of-arrival and trace velocity.
• To support the interpretation and design of atmospheric acoustic sensor arrays.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes the ensemble of time delays between array sensor pairs.
• Assumes uncorrelated Gaussian noise corrupts the time delay estimates.
• Applies a plane-wave approximation for far-removed signal sources.

Main Results:

• Generates a set of practical uncertainties for direction-of-arrival and trace velocity.
• The uncertainties are amenable to a geometric interpretation.
• The method is applicable to data from arrays like the International Monitoring System.

Conclusions:

• The developed method enhances the reliability of infrasound data analysis.
• It offers valuable insights for scientists designing and deploying infrasound monitoring systems.
• The approach is suitable for analyzing data from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization's network.