High-frequency (8-16 kHz) model-based source localization

Matched-field or model-based processing has now been widely demonstrated for improving source localization and detection in ocean waveguides. Most of the processing approaches become increasingly sensitive to fluctuations or uncertainties as the frequency increases. As a result, there has been very limited work above 1 kHz and there is a perception that above several kilohertz the technique cannot be applied. We have conducted acoustic communications experiments in a variety of shallow water sites around coastal areas of the United States. These experiments show that a clear multipath structure is readily observed even in the 8-16 kHz band. Furthermore, it is shown that model-based processing can then be exploited to localize sources at these high frequencies out to ranges of several kilometers. (C) 2004 Acoustical Society of America.