Characterisation of objects and general ocean phenomena by use of target adaptive multifrequency multistatic matched illumination acoustics

Through modelling and detailed experimental investigations there exists in most cases a considerable amount of a priori information about the target and the background scene. Some of the signatures are very dominant and specific in nature, and some are less so and may overlap signatures related to other targets or background clutter. The authors investigate phenomena of interest in the maximum number of signature domains and present the basic matched illumination sonar concept. Subsequently they illustrate a set of specific application areas with emphasis on classification of submerged objects and their wakes against a background of gravity waves, internal waves and turbulence. Some experimental results displaying the capability of the technique are presented