Impact of seafloor and water column parameter variations on signal-to-background ratio estimates: a sensitivity study based on sonar performance modeling

Abstract

Regardless of how accurate modeling can be, if the set of assumptions made with regard to the propagation conditions are not precise, sonar performance predictions diverge from the corresponding measured values. Here a model-based sensitivity study of key environmental parameters is performed to generate an input parameter "priority list" and

eventually provide feedback on the required accuracy of each parameter to maintain detection performance predictions within certain confidence limits. Using sonar performance simulations, we investigate the sensitivity of Signal-to-Background Ratio to compressionalwave speed in the seafloor, bottom attenuation, seafloor density and sound velocity in the water column. Additional temporal and spatial variability results regarding continuous sound velocity estimates obtained during sea experiments are presented.