Deterministic methods of sound field computation

Abstract

Models for acoustic propagation in the ocean environment have matured to a level where they are used routinely to estimate deterministic phenomena and, most recently, have been applied to the investigation of stochastic phenomena. This paper reviews the capabilities and limitations of the state-ofthe- art acoustic models in the deterministic domain to assist in their fruitful applications to stochastic problems. Formulations based upon ray and wave (both normal-mode and parabolicequation) techniques are developed from. the acoustic wave equation to their most advanced forms. The applicability of these techniques to classes of stochastic phenomena is also discussed.