Inferring the shape of a towed array by processing the data from its acoustic sensors

Abstract

When a horizontal linear array of underwater acoustic sensors is towed through the sea, motions within the water mass and variations in the tow vessel's heading can cause the shape of the array to deviate from a straight line. Distortion of the array's linear configuration can lead to degradation in the detection and localization performance of the array, unless the spatial processing of the acoustic data can compensate for the nonlinear shape of the array. One method for monitoring the shape of the array involves instrumenting the array with compasses and depth sensors. Another technique is presented here whereby the data from the acoustic sensors themselves are used to infer the spatial distribution of the sensors along the array.