Sea-bottom backscattering modeling with a wideband constant beamwidth sonar at normal incidence

This work deals with the analysis of signals backscattered from a small roughness seabottom based on acoustical backscattering modeling. The bottom impulse response is simulated with the model, and compared to the experimental impulse response which is estimated from experimental data collected with a wideband sonar (20-140 kHz) in Lake Geneva. The statistical average of the backscattered impulse response is written as a convolution between the probability density function of the bottom roughness and the backscattered impulse response from a plane interface. Therefore, the roughness can be predicted from the corresponding bottom impulse response