The influence of fluctuations in acoustic travel time on locating the position of an underwater sound source

Abstract

This paper investigates the accuracy of an underwater acoustic positioning system in locating a sound source that transmits at unknown times in conditions in which the acoustic travel times between

source and receivers fluctuate widely. The system uses three omnidirectional receivers. The accuracy of the system depends very much on the relative positions of these receivers. With well-chosen relative receiver dispositions, the position of a sound source at 20 km range can be locatd within 150

m, even with fluctuations in travel time of as high as 100 ms.