Features of sound propagation in the ocean with fine-structure inhomogeneities

We analyze the results of an experiment using an explosive sound source in the tropical part of the Indian Ocean. We consider the time structure of sound signals in geometric shadow zones to a distance of 270 km and the scheme of how the sound field in the shadow zone is formed by rays reflected from horizontally extended fine-structured sound velocity layers. From the results of calculation using a wave program that realizes the method of psuedodifferential parabolic equations, we analyze the influence of signal scattering by fine-structure sound velocity inhomogeneities on the sound field distribution in a waveguide. We show that the field formed by spots of light in each of the shadow zones is generated by a regular field and propagates in parallel to it, taking energy from the regular zone in the near field and in each subsequent convergence zone. This mechanism causes an additional decrease in the field in illuminated zones, which can be interpreted as additional attenuation of the regular sound field.     

Illumination of the shadow zone in a two-channel oceanic waveguide with a fine structure of sound speed inhomogeneities

The experimental data on the sound field structure, which were obtained by emitting a continuous pseudonoise signal (a midfrequency of 3.2 kHz) in a two-channel oceanic waveguide, are compared with the calculations performed by the wave program with allowance for the fine structure of the sound speed inhomogeneities. A considerable increase in the intensity of the sound field with a definite angular spectrum is observed in the upper channel in the first shadow zone, and, in the experiment, the increase begins nearer to the sound source than predicted by the wave and ray calculations for a smooth sound speed profile. These features of the field structure are explained by the illumination of the shadow zone by the regular scattering of signals from highly anisotropic fine-structure inhomogeneities of the sound speed profile, which are clearly pronounced in the region of the given oceanic experiment.     

Visualization of the sound scattering by a cylinder

The schlieren method is applied to visualizing the sound scattering ofa cylinder immersed in the liquids.Images of the echoes,caused by normal andoblique incidence from a cylinder,are obtained for two kinds of liquids:(1)theliquid is composed of a transparent liquid;and(2)the liquid is composed of twonon-mixable transparent liquids.It is found experimentally that the echo canbe caused by the discontinaites in the shadow zone.This fact is utilized to dem-onstrate the locus of the helical surface wave creeping along the surface of thecylinder.For such cases the three-dimensional image can be described by thismethod and has not to use the system with special appliances and complexalgorithm.     

典型深海声场频率-距离干涉结构分析及实验研究

基于射线理论分析了在典型深海情况下声源与接收水听器位于海水表层时声场频率-距离干涉结构,给出了直达声作用区与影区情况下声场频率-距离干涉结构的近似理论表达式。数值仿真与实验结果表明:在直达声作用区内,由直达声与海面一次反射声形成声场干涉结构,频率域干涉周期为该两条声线到达时间差的倒数;在影区内,由声源-海底-接收器、声源-海面-海底-接收器、声源-海底-海面-接收器和声源-海面-海底-海面-接收器四条声线形成声场干涉结构,声强随着频率具有两种干涉周期,分别随着声源深度、接收水听器深度的增大而减小,并与收发距离有关。本文给出的理论表达式可以较好的解释实验观测到的声场频率-距离干涉结构。      

Controlled experiments of the diffraction of sound by a curved surface

Controlled measurements of the sound field from a point source above a curved surface are described. The measurements were made in the frequency range between 0.3 and 10 kHz, in the case of a rigid boundary and a surface of finite impedance. Receiver positions include all of the area within, and above, the shadow zone and for various source heights. Particular attention is given to the region across the shadow boundary. The measurements are compared to diffraction theory expressed in terms of a residue series, or creeping wave solution. The calculation is extended by removing restrictive approximations and by carrying the computation to higher-order terms. A numerical algorithm allows the extension to the general case of a finite impedance. Above the shadow boundary, the sound field is calculated using geometrical theory that accounts for reflections from a curved surface. Deep within the shadow, theory and measurements agree to, typically, 0.5 dB. The same agreement is obtained between measurements and the geometrical theory well above the shadow boundary. In the vicinity of the shadow boundary, both theories agree to within 0.5 dB but differ from the measured results by 2 to 5 dB. Finally, the theory is compared to measurements obtained outdoors above a grass covered curved ground with no refraction and above flat ground with refraction.     

Regional variability of the phenomenon of sound penetration into shadow zones in the ocean with fine-structure stratification

The regional variability of the phenomenon of the shadow zone insonification in the ocean is manifested in the variability of the main parameters of the sound signals that penetrate into these zones because of the scattering by the fine-structure inhomogeneities of the refractive index. The intensity of the phenomenon is governed by a combination of the vertical distribution of intensity of the fine-structure inhomogeneities and the caustics that exist in the insonified domains, along with the caustic intensity and position, both of which depend on the mean sound speed profile and on the geometry of the experiment. For the chosen typical regions of the ocean, the characteristics of the fine structure are systematized, and the phenomenon under study is analyzed. The results obtained offer a justified approach to solving inverse problems and a way to perform practical-purpose studies aimed at improving the ultimate performance of underwater observation and monitoring systems.     

Sound propagation and scattering in media with random inhomogeneities of sound speed, density and medium velocity

This review presents both classical and new results of the theory of sound propagation in media with random inhomogeneities of sound speed, density and medium velocity (mainly in the atmosphere and ocean). An equation for a sound wave in a moving inhomogeneous medium is presented, which has a wider range of applicability than those used before. Starting from this equation, the statistical characteristics of the sound field in a moving random medium are calculated using Born-approximation, ray, Rytov and parabolic-equation methods, and the theory of multiple scattering. The results obtained show, in particular, that certain equations previously widely used in the theory of sound propagation in moving random media must now be revised. The theory presented can be used not only to calculate the statistical characteristics of sound waves in the turbulent atmosphere or ocean but also to solve inverse problems and develop new remote-sensing methods. A number of practical problems of sound propagation in moving random media are listed and the further development of this field of acoustics is considered.     

A numerical approach to sound levels in near-surface refractive shadows

The present study formulates a consistent method to simulate the outdoor, near-surface sound propagation through realistic refractive conditions. The correlated atmospheric stratification and turbulence properties are derived from standard meteorological quantities through flux-profile similarity relationships. The propagation of a monochromatic sound field is simulated in presence of the turbulence and stratification effects and an impedance ground. The propagation model uses a numerical solution of a second-order moment parabolic equation, which is introduced and evaluated. The so-formed coupled atmospheric-acoustic model is used to systematically investigate the sound levels in near-surface refractive shadows. In an illustrative propagation scenario, the shadow zone sound levels are predicted to show significant variations with the meteorological conditions. Specifically, the sound levels decrease with the adverse wind, as a consequence of enhanced mean upward refraction. Conversely, they increase with the absolute value of the surface heat flux, as a consequence of enhanced turbulence scattering. Implications for the assessment of the sound levels in shadow zones are discussed.     

Sound propagation and scattering in media with random inhomogeneities of sound speed,density and medium velocity

Abstract

This review presents both classical and new results of the theory of sound propagation in media with random inhomogeneities of sound speed, density and medium velocity (mainly in the atmosphere and ocean). An equation for a sound wave in a moving inhomogeneous medium is presented, which has a wider range of applicability than those used before. Starting from this equation, the statistical characteristics of the sound field in a moving random medium are calculated using Born-approximation, ray, Rytov and parabolic-equation methods, and the theory of multiple scattering. The results obtained show, in particular, that certain equations previously widely used in the theory of sound propagation in moving random media must now be revised. The theory presented can be used not only to calculate the statistical characteristics of sound waves in the turbulent atmosphere or ocean but also to solve inverse problems and develop new remote-sensing methods. A number of practical problems of sound propagation in moving random media are listed and the further development of this field of acoustics is considered.     

深海中利用单水听器的影区声源无源测距测深方法

在典型深海情况下当声源与接收水听器位于海水表层时,在影区内由声源海底接收器、声源海面海底接收器、声源海底海面接收器和声源海面海底海面接收器4条声线形成声场干涉结构,声强随着频率具有两种干涉周期,随着收发距离的增加而增大,分别随着声源深度、接收水听器深度的增加而减小。因此由单水听器记录的声场干涉结构即可实现宽带声源目标的无源测距测深,仿真分析验证了其有效性。在南海深海声学实验中观测到海面宽带噪声源在声场影区所形成的声场干涉结构,数据分析结果验证了深海声场干涉结构用于声源无源定位的有效性。与传统无源定位方法相比,该方法不需要宽带引导声源、精确的海底声学参数和大规模的拷贝场计算。      

Measurements of bubbles in sea water by nonstationary sound scattering

Methods for the characterization of bubbles in sea water by acoustic scattering are analyzed. Nonstationary linear and nonlinear sound scattering methods are proposed. The transient linear and nonlinear sound scattering allows the scattering by resonant gas bubbles to be distinguished from the scattering by other microinhomogeneities. The application of parametric arrays in oceanic experiments, together with the broadband frequency analysis of the backscattering coefficient, allows information about bubbles in sea water to be obtained. Experimental results on sound scattering and gas bubble distribution functions are presented for different conditions in the ocean.     

Mean field of a low-frequency sound wave propagating in a fluctuating ocean

Statistical characteristics of low-frequency sound waves propagating over long distances in a fluctuating ocean are important for many practical problems. In this paper, using the theory of multiple scattering, the mean field of a low-frequency sound wave was analytically calculated. In these calculations, the ratio of the sound wavelength and the scale of random inhomogeneities can be arbitrary. Furthermore, the correlation function of inhomogeneities is expressed in terms of a modal spectrum (e.g., internal waves modes). The obtained mean sound field is expressed as a sum of normal modes that attenuate exponentially. It is shown that the extinction coefficients of the modes are linearly related to the spectrum of random inhomogeneities in the ocean. Measurements of the extinction coefficients can therefore be used for retrieving this spectrum. The mean sound field is calculated for both 3D and 2D geometries of sound propagation. The results obtained can be used to study the range of applicability of the 2D propagation model.     

Spatially extended sound equalization in rectangular rooms.

The results of a theoretical study on global sound equalization in rectangular rooms at low frequencies are presented. The zone where sound equalization can be obtained is a continuous three-dimensional region that occupies almost the complete volume of the room. It is proved that the equalization of broadband signals can be achieved by the simulation of a traveling plane wave using FIR filters. The optimal solution has been calculated following the traditional least-squares approximation, where a modeling delay has been applied to minimize reverberation. An advantage of the method is that the sound field can be estimated with sensors placed in the limits of the equalization zone. As a consequence, a free space for the listeners can be obtained.     

Scattering of low-frequency pulsed sound signals from elastic cylindrical shells

A method and experimental setup intended for measuring the amplitude and phase of acoustic field in the near zone of a scatterer are described. The results of measuring the scattering characteristics of low-frequency sound signals scattered by elastic cylindrical shells are analyzed.     

深海声影区稀疏时延估计与声源测距

研究了深海声影区中经一次海底反射的多途声线到达垂直双水听器的时延差与声源位置的关系,提出了一种稀疏时延估计与声源测距方法。首先利用近海面布放的短间距垂直双水听器接收一定频带的声信号,然后计算接收信号的广义互相关函数,并利用频谱搬移和稀疏解卷积技术提取时延差,最后通过时延差匹配,估计水下声源的距离。仿真实验表明,在4300 m深海中,所提方法能够正确提取多途到达时延差,估计声影区内的声源距离。海试结果表明,当垂直接收孔径分别为21 m和30 m时,声源测距误差分别小于13.6%和8.1%。上述结果表明,所提出的时延估计方法可适应带宽较窄的接收信号,多途到达时延估计参数可用于实现声影区中的水下声源测距。      

水下等离子体声源的冲击波负压特性

基于修正的Rayleigh气泡脉动方程对水下等离子体声源放电产生的 强声冲击波的传播过程进行了分析; 利用Euler方程作为控制方程组, 建立了水下等离子体声源的聚束声场模型, 通过仿真计算获得的传播云图对冲击波负压的形成机理进行了直观的理论分析. 结果表明: 经过聚能反射罩反射汇聚得到的聚束波在反射稀疏波和水的惯性作用下, 聚束波周围水域产生了拉伸, 形成负压区, 如果拉伸力大于水的抗拉上限, 就会使得水中形成不连续现象, 即出现空化气泡; 此外聚能罩边缘处产生的衍射波进一步加剧了负压的产生, 边缘衍射波最终与拉伸波叠加, 使冲击波负压达到最大值; 通过对比仿真波形和实验波形, 从而验证和进一步揭示了冲击波负压的形成原因. 研究结果对认识水下冲击波的传播规律和进一步改进等离子体声源的设计具有指导意义. 关键词： 等离子体声源 冲击波负压 聚束声场模型 气泡     

Computer modeling of sound fields in the ocean with fine-structured inhomogeneities

The results of a computer modeling of sound propagation in the ocean with fine-structured inhomogeneities are presented. The modeling was performed using a wave code based on the wide-angle approximation, which allows one to estimate the effects of sound field perturbations. These effects include the insonification of the geometric shadow zones and the abnormal attenuation of low-frequency sound in the course of its propagation in an oceanic waveguide. Calculations clearly demonstrate that the fine-structured inhomogeneities of the sound velocity considerably affect the sound propagation in the ocean.     

Methods for measuring bistatic characteristics of sound scattering by the ocean bottom and surface

It is very interesting to measure the bistatic characteristics of sound scattering by the ocean bottom and surface for the development of present-day hydrolocation net-centric schemes. Possible methods for measuring scattering bistatic characteristics are evaluated. The angular characteristics of reverberation related to illumination of a water area by active linearly frequency-modulated signals are studied using linear passive arrays to test a measuring scheme in a shallow water area with a depth of ~20 m in the 1–3 kHz frequency range. The bistatic sound-scattering characteristics in the water area are calculated based on the measurements. The obtained characteristics are compared with the known data on the backscattering of sound.