4aUW10. Temporal prediction of acoustic backscatter from sediments at 10--250 kHz.

Session: Thursday Morning, December 5

Time: 10:20


Author: Daniel D. Sternlicht
Location: Marine Physical Lab., Scripps Inst. of Oceanogr., 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093-0205
Author: Christian P. deMoustier
Location: Marine Physical Lab., Scripps Inst. of Oceanogr., 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093-0205

Abstract:

A temporal model of high-frequency (10--250 kHz) seafloor acoustic backscatter has been developed which simulates the average squared echo envelope from a monostatic echo sounder. Tests comparing the model to measured backscatter echoes from pelagic and terrigineous sediments are presented, and the diminishing contribution of the sediment volume with increasing acoustic frequency is demonstrated. The temporal model was developed to assist in the identification of sediments by statistically comparing its output to the echo amplitude time series measured with bottom mapping sonars. The model incorporates the sonar geometry, electroacoustic transfer function and transmitted signal characteristics, the ocean volume parameters, the statistical geoacoustic parameters which describe the water/bottom interface and the sediment volume, and the multiscale roughness statistics of the interface for the bottom types being investigated. [Work supported by ONR.]


ASA 132nd meeting - Hawaii, December 1996