The role of fluctuations in the interpretation of sonar detection performance

The predictive probability of detection (PPD) is a metric that accounts for uncertainty in sonar detection performance due to random fluctuations in transmission loss, noise level, and source level [P. Abbot and I. Dyer, Impact of Littoral Environmental Variability on Acoustic Predictions and Sonar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2017-05, Vol.141 (5), p.3653-3653
Main Authors: Abbot, Philip, Premus, Vincent E., Helfrick, Mark N., Gedney, Charles J., Emerson, Chris J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The predictive probability of detection (PPD) is a metric that accounts for uncertainty in sonar detection performance due to random fluctuations in transmission loss, noise level, and source level [P. Abbot and I. Dyer, Impact of Littoral Environmental Variability on Acoustic Predictions and Sonar Performance , 2002]. It is well known that a significant portion of Ira’s career was dedicated to understanding the role fluctuations play in interpreting acoustic measurements. Building on this foundation, we now embrace the notion that a useful statement of sonar system performance is one linked with a probabilistic description of the acoustic environment’s intrinsic variability. In this paper, we discuss the impact of fluctuations on passive sonar performance, including how PPD facilitates the interpretation of sonar system recognition differential. Data from a recent field test conducted in August, 2011, on the New Jersey continental shelf, will be used to illustrate the methodology and interpret measured detection performance in the presence of a cold pool duct and variable ambient noise conditions.
ISSN:0001-4966
1520-8524
DOI:10.1121/1.4987904