Layered model sound speed profile estimation

The most important and the most difficult area is underwater for harbor protections. Acoustic sensors are applied for these areas, since visible lights and other sensors cannot reach hundreds of meters range. However, sound propagation is extremely complicated because of non-stationary and non-uniform refraction index distributions. Sound speed profiles should be measured or estimated before monitoring operations. Usually expendable sensors like BTs are used for temperature distribution measurements in the general sonar operations. But these devices are not suitable for frequent sound speed profile estimations for dynamical changing environments in harbors. A new concept using single sonar is introduced for sound speed profiles estimations in this presentation. This new approach is based on layered model. The procedure and the effects are presented with simulation results.