Passive acoustic source localization using sources of opportunity

Area of Science:

• Ocean acoustics
• Signal processing
• Geophysical exploration

Background:

• Matched field processing (MFP) is a key technique in underwater acoustics for source localization.
• Traditional MFP relies on accurate environmental models and replica libraries, which are often difficult to obtain.
• Ships of opportunity offer a potential source for generating acoustic replicas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of using data from ships of opportunity for MFP.
• To develop a method for overcoming spectral differences between replica libraries and target sources.
• To validate the proposed method using simulated and real-world acoustic data.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to obtain coordinates for replica library generation.
• Employing a correlation-based processing procedure to handle spectral variations.
• Illustrating the method with simulations and verifying with experimental acoustic data.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of using AIS-derived replicas for MFP.
• Effective overcoming of spectral mismatch challenges through correlation processing.
• Validation of the technique using 2009 acoustic experiment data.

Conclusions:

• Data-derived replicas from ships of opportunity are feasible for MFP.
• The proposed correlation-based method effectively addresses spectral differences.
• This approach enhances the practicality of MFP in underwater acoustic applications.