In this paper, we have described the characteristics of the Underwater Distributed Sensor Network (UDSN) and proposed the conceptual design guideline by an effectiveness analysis. To perform the effectiveness analysis, we defined an battlefield environment, and then analyzed principal components which compose the UDSN to find out simulation parameters and system constraints. We have chosen a measure of effectiveness based on a target trajectory, which could enhance intuitive understanding about current status, and performed various simulations to reveal critical design parameters in terms of sensor node types, arrangement, cost and combination of detection information.