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Using cross-spectral phase to characterize individual targets in clutter: Application to broadband echosounders
Miad Al Mursaline1,2, Zhaozhong Zhuang1,2,3, Andone C Lavery2,3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|July 24, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel method to differentiate single targets from acoustic clutter using frequency-dependent phase variations. This technique improves target identification in acoustic surveys, crucial for accurate biological and environmental assessments.
Area of Science:
- Acoustic signal processing
- Oceanography
- Target identification
Background:
- Distinguishing single targets from acoustic clutter is challenging.
- Acoustic clutter arises from unresolvable echoes of multiple targets.
- Accurate target identification is vital for ecological surveys.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for distinguishing single targets from acoustic clutter.
- To leverage frequency-dependent interference and cross-spectral phase variations.
- To improve the accuracy of target strength measurements.
Main Methods:
- Mathematical modeling of cross-spectral phase for multiple targets.
- Laboratory and at-sea experiments using elastic spheres.
- Analysis of Fresnel zone and resonance effects on scattering.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful differentiation between single and multiple target echoes.
- Quantified false acceptance rates and compared them to existing methods.
- Applied the method to infer in situ target strengths of gas-bearing organisms.
Conclusions:
- The developed method effectively distinguishes single targets from acoustic clutter.
- Cross-spectral phase analysis provides insights into scattering physics.
- This technique enhances the capability for in situ target strength estimation.
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