Quantifying the Effects of Propagation on Classification of Cetacean Vocalizations

Abstract

To develop a robust automatic classifier with a high probability of detection and a low false alarm rate that can classify vocalizations from a variety of cetacean species in diverse ocean environments. OBJECTIVES In previous work as part of ONR grant N000141210139 a unique automatic classifier developed by the PI that uses perceptual signal features-features similar to those employed by the human auditory system-was employed to successfully classify anthropogenic transients, and vocalizations from five cetacean species. Although this is a significant achievement, successful implementation of this (or any) classifier requires that it be temporally and spatially robust. The primary goal will be to address the question: "Will it work on vocalization data from these species collected under different environmental conditions?" To examine this, discriminant analysis will be used to rank the aural features in terms of their ability to separate the vocalizations between species. Then, the more highly ranked features will be tested for robustness. This will be done by performing a propagation experiment using cetacean vocalizations and synthetically generated calls as source signals, and testing the received signals with the classifier. The measurements will be complemented by comparing experimental results to propagation model results with the goal of generalizing the results to other ocean environments. APPROACH The research is part of a PhD program undertaken by Ms. Carolyn Binder under the supervision of Dr. Paul C. Hines. The postgraduate program is being conducted collaboratively in the Oceanography and Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public 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.