Modeling and interpretation of bistatic bottom reverberation in deep water near seamounts

The received reverberation signal can be beamformed by utilizing a vertical array, generating a vertical-angle time record (VATR) that enables analysis of spatiotemporal distribution characteristics. Due to the influence of multipath propagation effects, deep-sea reverberation exhibits highly complex characteristics, especially in a seabed with significant depth variation. In a recent bistatic reverberation experiment with a vertical array receiver, peculiar bright stripes were observed in the VATR. These stripes are the result of scattering caused by large-scale bottom structures and are closely associated with seamounts. To accurately model and interpret these stripes, a bistatic reverberation model is initially established to reproduce the VATR. This model enables us to numerically simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of reverberation in the VATR, offering a qualitative explanation for these stripes. However, the model alone is incapable of predicting the specific stripe structure associated with a particular seamount. To address this limitation, an equation system is introduced to calculate the stripe parameters based on the seamount parameters. By analyzing and deducing the dependency of the stripes on the seamount, conclusions were drawn using the equation system. Ultimately, the presented model and equation system successfully reproduce and comprehensively explain the observed abnormal stripes from the experiment.