Localization using Bartlett matched-field processor sidelobes

Abstract

Ambiguity surface sidelobes generated by the Bartlett matched-field processor (MFP) shift location with frequency. This sidelobe shift can be viewed as a continuous trajectory in a range-frequency plane at a fixed depth, where the trajectories converge to the correct source range for a perfectly matched surface. In isovelocity or bottom-interacting environments the sidelobe trajectories are straight lines that converge to the true range at zero frequency, while environments with upward-refracting sound-speed profiles have trajectories that asymptotically converge as the frequency approaches infinity. This behavior can be explained by the theory of waveguide invariants, which predict the local behavior of interference maxima/minima of acoustic intensity in the frequency-range plane. As the ambiguity surface of the Bartlett matched-field processor has a physical interpretation in terms of a time-reversed acoustic field, with the sidelobes analogous to local interference maxima, these invariant concepts can be reformulated for application to MFP. These interference trajectories are demonstrated to exist in simulations, broadband source tows, and a type A blue whale vocalization. Sidelobe trajectories also exist in the range-depth plane, but they contain no information about the correct source depth. An appendix demonstrates how these sidelobe properties can be exploited when combining ambiguity surfaces through use of gradient and Radon transform information. The resulting range estimators demonstrate better peak-to-sidelobe ratios than a simple incoherent average.