Range passive localization of the moving source with a single vector hydrophone

Abstract

The pressure and horizontal velocity signals of a vector hydrophone are combined in passive range localization processing. The target in the ocean is moving at a constant speed and the track does not cross the receiver point. Range localization is achieved through four main steps. Firstly, the received pressure and particle velocity are processed together to restrain the isotropic noise. Second, the signals received at different time are cross-correlated and processed to obtain the interference pattern of the intensity field. Third, the radial velocity of the moving source can be extracted from the interference and the following obtained: the best match of the constant speed of the target and the range; and the time of the Closest Point of Approach (CPA). Finally, the range localization is achieved according to the motion equation. In comparison with the pressure sensor, the vector hydrophone has a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) for its 4-6dB spatial gain in the isotropic noise field. Hence, the performance of range passive localization for the moving source is improved by using a vector hydrophone.