Acoustic ship signature measurements by cross-correlation method

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Signal Processing
• Oceanography

Background:

• Underwater noise from vessels complicates acoustic analysis.
• Distinguishing individual ship signatures in complex environments is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply cross-correlation methods for estimating underwater ship noise spectra.
• To demonstrate the separation of acoustic signatures from moving vessels using cross-correlation.
• To validate the method's effectiveness in noisy estuarine environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cross-correlation of signals from two hydrophones.
• Estimated power spectral density and modulation spectrum of underwater noise.
• Applied experimental data from the Hudson River for analysis.

Main Results:

• Cross-correlation successfully separated individual vessel acoustic signatures.
• Measured ship noise and modulation spectra matched conventional methods.
• The technique effectively distinguished two simultaneously present ships.

Conclusions:

• Cross-correlation is a robust method for analyzing underwater vessel noise.
• This technique enhances capabilities for ship traffic monitoring and classification in harbors.
• The method offers improved performance in complex acoustic environments.