Directional Processing of the Simulated Direct Path, Broadband Reverberation Data and Its Interpretation

Abstract

Broadband ocean bottom/subbottom reverberation data are simulated for the Acoustic Reverberation Special Research Program’s (ARSRP’s) fine scale experiment to be conducted in FY 93. ARSRP objectives are to study the direct path bottom/subbottom reverberation processes at low frequencies (50–500 Hz) and low grazing angles (±15°). The data are simulated, over the Goff and Jordan sediment pond, for a horizontal array towed at an elevation of 25 m (from the sea floor) in order to generate the bottom/subbottom direct path, backscattered reverberations at low grazing angles (±15°). These data consist of the reverberation and/or specular reflection events from all angles, and we studied the application of the intercept time-ray parameter (τ-p) technique to filter out the undesired reverberations/reflections at high grazing angles. The low grazing angle (0 to 15°) data are then interpreted to identify the (location of) bottom and/or subbottom scattering patches or elements. These are further analyzed to study the reverberation hypotheses.