Sequential bottom parameter estimation using blind deconvolution of sources of opportunity in ocean waveguide for Santa Barbara channel experiment

Abstract

This paper investigates the performance of sequential bottom parameter estimation based on ray-based blind deconvolution (RBD) [Sabra et al., JASA EL42-7 (2010)] of sources of opportunity using the 2016 Santa Barbara Channel (SBC) experimental recordings of shipping noise. The RBD algorithm relies on estimating the unknown phase of the source of opportunity through wideband beamforming along a well-resolved ray path to approximate the environment’s channel impulse responses (CIR) between the source and the VLA elements. The corrected power ratio of the direct and bottom-bounced arrivals is processed to infer the bottom reflection loss and is utilized to invert for the bottom parameters. Sequential parameter estimation uses a state space model for predicting and correcting the bottom parameters as the estimated bottom reflection loss values become available. Inversions results for the SBC experiment were also performed with conventional active sources to validate the inversion obtained with RBD of sources of opportunity.