Using a towed array to localise and quantify underwater sound radiated by the tow-vessel

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at determining the feasibility of using a towed array of hydrophones to localise and quantify sound sources on the tow-vessel. The method requires the tow-vessel to execute a manoeuvre in order to bring the array into a suitable geometry to allow it to image the tow-vessel. Previous work has focussed on a scenario where the tow-vessel executes a U-turn manoeuvre, resulting in rapid relative motion between the tow-vessel and hydrophones. In this paper a simulation is used to compare the performance of different beamforming algorithms in a scenario where the tow-vessel executes a constant radius turn. This scenario has the advantage of allowing longer integration times than the U-turn manoeuvre.