A geoacoustic estimation scheme based on bottom backscatter signals from multiple angles

Abstract

Aiming at the disadvantages of current methods to estimate sediment geoacoustic parameters, a geoacoustic estimation scheme is presented, in which used are the bottom back reflection signals from multiple angles sampled with a multi-beam parametric array sub-bottom profiler. Firstly, the sediment thickness and sound speed are estimated with difference frequency backscatter signals separately from upper and lower sediment surfaces with vertical and outboard direction. Then, the sediment attenuation coefficient is estimated by use of the two backscatter signals with different difference frequencies from upper and lower sediment surfaces with vertical direction. Finally, the sediment property impedance is estimated with primary frequency backscatter signals from upper sediment surface with vertical direction and followed by the computation of the sediment density, thereby solving its coupling with sound speed. The efficiency is tested through pool experiment.