Three-Dimensional Passive Source Localisation using the Flank Array of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in Shallow Water

  • Dexin Zhao National University of Defence Technology, Changsha
  • Keunhwa Lee Seoul National University, Seoul
  • Woojae Seong Seoul National University, Seoul
  • Zhiping Huang National University of Defence Technology, Changsha
Keywords: Passive source localisation, flank array, autonomous underwater vehicle, matched-field processing, inter-position processing

Abstract

Researchers have become interested in autonomous underwater vehicles equipped with various kinds of sonar systems that can perform many of underwater tasks, which is encouraged by the potential benefits of cost reduction and flexible deployment. This paper proposes an approach to three-dimensional passive source localisation with the flank array of an autonomous underwater vehicle in shallow water. The approach is developed based on matched-field processing for the likelihood of passive source localisation in the shallow water environment. Inter-position processing is also used for the improved localisation performance and the enhanced stability of the estimation process against the lack of spatial gain due to the small physical size of the flank array. The proposed approach is presented and validated through simulation and experimental data. The results illustrate the localisation performance at different signal-to-noise ratios and demonstrate the build up over time of the positional parameters of the estimated source as the autonomous underwater vehicle cruises at a low speed along a straight line at a constant depth.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(3), pp.323-330DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.3011

Author Biographies

Dexin Zhao, National University of Defence Technology, Changsha
Mr Dexin Zhao received the BS (Technology of Measurement & Control and Instrument), and MS (Instrument Science and Technology) from National University of Defense Technology, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Currently, he is a PhD scholar at National University of Defense Technology. His current research interest included: autonomous underwater vehicles, array signal processing, matched field processing, and detection and localisation.
Keunhwa Lee, Seoul National University, Seoul
Dr Keunhwa Lee received his BS and PhD  in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea in 1999 and 2006, respectively. Currently working as a Research Professor at the BK21 Marine Technology Education and Research Center, Seoul National University. His research interests include: Ocean sediment acoustics, numerical acoustic modeling, and underwater experimental technique.
Woojae Seong, Seoul National University, Seoul
Dr Woojae Seong received the BS and MS in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea in 1982 and 1984, respectively, and the PhD (Ocean Engineering) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States in 1991. Currently, he is a Professor at Seoul National University. His current research interests area: Propagation modeling of underwater sound, target localisation using underwater sound, underwater structure sound radiation analysis, structure-borne sound reduction, and underwater robots and instrumentation.
Zhiping Huang, National University of Defence Technology, Changsha
Dr Zhiping Huang received his MS and PhD in Fuze Technology from Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China in 1986 and 1988, respectively. Currently, he is a Professor at National University of Defense Technology. His research interests include underwater robots and instrumentation, simulation and test systems, ballistic technology, sonar processing, matched field processing, and detection and localisation.
Published
2013-05-16
How to Cite
Zhao, D., Lee, K., Seong, W., & Huang, Z. (2013). Three-Dimensional Passive Source Localisation using the Flank Array of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle in Shallow Water. Defence Science Journal, 63(3), 323-330. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.3011
Section
Engineering Science & Technology