LONG-TERM GOALSAcoustic clutter is the primary problem encountered by active sonar systems operating in Continental Shelf environments. Clutter is defined as any returns from the environment that stand prominently above the diffuse and temporally decaying reverberation background and so can be confused with or camouflage returns from an intended target such as an underwater vehicle. Many environmental factors may contribute to acoustic clutter and adversely affect the performance of tactical Navy sonar by introducing false alarms in the system. In order to develop adaptive algorithms or technology to mitigate acoustic clutter, it is critical to identify, understand, and be able to accurately model the leading order physical mechanisms which cause clutter in existing sonar systems. The long-term goal of this program is to determine and understand the physical mechanisms that cause acoustic clutter in continental shelf environments and to use this knowledge to develop predictive tools to enhance the detection, localization and classification of underwater targets.
Report Documentation Page
Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Approved for public release; distribution unlimited13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES code 1 only
ABSTRACT
Acoustic clutter is the primary problem encountered by active sonar systems operating in ContinentalShelf environments. Clutter is defined as any returns from the environment that stand prominently above the diffuse and temporally decaying reverberation background and so can be confused with or camouflage returns from an intended target such as an underwater vehicle. Many environmental factors may contribute to acoustic clutter and adversely affect the performance of tactical Navy sonar by introducing false alarms in the system. In order to develop adaptive algorithms or technology to mitigate acoustic clutter, it is critical to identify, understand, and be able to accurately model the leading order physical mechanisms which cause clutter in existing sonar systems. The long-term goal of this program is to determine and understand the physical mechanisms that cause acoustic clutter in continental shelf environments and to use this knowledge to develop predictive tools to enhance the detection, local...