Multi-path arrival estimates using simulated annealing: application to crosshole tomography experiment

In the analysis of crosshole tomography data, the first step is to estimate the arrival time and amplitude of the multi-path arrivals which comprise the received signal. Normally algorithms such as matched filter are used to determine the arrival times. However, when the bandwidth of the signal is small, this method cannot resolve closely spaced arrivals. We, therefore, investigate the performance of a simulated annealing algorithm in estimating the amplitude scaling factors and delay times of the separate arrivals in a signal composed of closely spaced arrivals with added noise. The algorithm is applied to field data collected during a crosshole tomography experiment conducted in sea ice