A survey of practical considerations relative to the processing and analysis of underwater acoustic signals

Abstract

An investigation, aimed at bringing into sharper focus · tb~ strong interrelationships that exist between the measurement, p r o c essing, and analysis of underwater acoustic signals, is conducted. Emphasis is on practical considerations relating . to these processes. An overview of a typical underwater acoustic measurement system is presented . Major elements of the system hardware are reviewed ln terms of functional operation and ramifications relative to their use. Processing and analysis considerations are those concerned primarily with filtering, correlation and spectral analysis of measurement data obtained . Emphasis is on digital signal processing, rather than analogue processing of the subject data. The discussion, while not aimed specifically at real-time considerations for processing of the d~ta involved, does cover several important concepts applicable to the real-time processing. .of underwater acoustic signa~s. Finally, some of the inviting prospects for signal processing hardwareand software systems with outstanding capabilities, which are likely to appear on the measurement scene in the near term future are reviewed.