Target localization with multiple sonar receivers

Abstract

Deployable Underwater Surveillance Systems (DUSS) are a network of small multistatic transmitter/receiver sonar nodes. This study analyzes the contact localization capabilities of DUSS in term of range, time and bearing error. This information is used in Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the accuracy of multistatic localization methods suing 2 or 3 receivers. Simulations are validated by real data. Time-only localization of active sonar echoes with 2 receivers produces error estimates of 150 m at 10 km. Active pinger localization with 2 receivers produces average errors of 83 m at 10 km. Bearings-only passive localization with 2 receivers produces average errors of 250 m at 10 km. Buoy separation, buoy localization accuracy, acoustic travel time estimation, beam width and compass accuracy are the most critical system parameters. The use of three receivers further improves accuracy.