A 3D parabolic equation model with higher-order operator approximation

A three-dimensional parabolic equation acoustic propagation model using a higher-order operator approximation is proposed for calculating sound propagation in complex underwater environments. The higher-order approximation method improves wide-angle capability and accuracy of the parabolic equation solution. The split-step Fourier method is used to implement the model. An idealized wedge problem is presented to verify the performance of the proposed higher-order model by contrasting with the image method.