A Matlab and normal mode based reverberation model and some data/model comparisons

Abstract

A Matlab and normal mode based reverberation model has been developed that uses Ellis’ algorithm [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 2804–2814] for reverberation predictions and the ORCA normal mode model [Westwood et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 100, 3631–3645] to compute the eigenvalues and mode functions. The model is currently range independent, but handles bistatic geometries, and towed array beam patterns. Group velocity corrections similar to LePage’s [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 106, 3240–3254] have recently been added to this model. The matrix formulation in Matlab allows the bistatic calculations to be performed more efficiently. An overview of the model is presented that includes sample model-model comparisons for some problems from the 2006 ONR Reverberation Workshop. The model predictions are also compared with data obtained with the NURC (formerly the NATO Undersea Research Centre, SACLANTCEN) towed arrays during several reverberation experiments on the Malta Plateau. Select data from these experiments are used to compare with model predictions using best estimates of bottom properties in the area. [Work supported by US Office of Naval Research, Code 321OA, Grant No. N00014-05-1-0156.]