Acoustic/seismic signal propagation and sensor performance modeling

D. Keith Wilson; David H. Marlin; Sean Mackay

doi:10.1117/12.720093

11 May 2007 Acoustic/seismic signal propagation and sensor performance modeling

D. Keith Wilson, David H. Marlin, Sean Mackay

Proceedings Volume 6562, Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications IX; 65620R (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720093
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Performance, optimal employment, and interpretation of data from acoustic and seismic sensors depend strongly and in complex ways on the environment in which they operate. Software tools for guiding non-expert users of acoustic and seismic sensors are therefore much needed. However, such tools require that many individual components be constructed and correctly connected together. These components include the source signature and directionality, representation of the atmospheric and terrain environment, calculation of the signal propagation, characterization of the sensor response, and mimicking of the data processing at the sensor. Selection of an appropriate signal propagation model is particularly important, as there are significant trade-offs between output fidelity and computation speed. Attenuation of signal energy, random fading, and (for array systems) variations in wavefront angle-of-arrival should all be considered. Characterization of the complex operational environment is often the weak link in sensor modeling: important issues for acoustic and seismic modeling activities include the temporal/spatial resolution of the atmospheric data, knowledge of the surface and subsurface terrain properties, and representation of ambient background noise and vibrations. Design of software tools that address these challenges is illustrated with two examples: a detailed target-to-sensor calculation application called the Sensor Performance Evaluator for Battlefield Environments (SPEBE) and a GIS-embedded approach called Battlefield Terrain Reasoning and Awareness (BTRA).

Citation Download Citation

D. Keith Wilson, David H. Marlin, and Sean Mackay "Acoustic/seismic signal propagation and sensor performance modeling", Proc. SPIE 6562, Unattended Ground, Sea, and Air Sensor Technologies and Applications IX, 65620R (11 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720093

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