Simulation of Vertical Highlight Distribution of Underwater Objects Based on Virtual Extended Arrays *

To study the vertical distribution characteristics of object echo in water, a simulation method based on a large-aperture virtual extended array is proposed. The proposed method adopts the near-field plate element method to predict the object echo waveform at the array end and takes advantage of the high resolution of the large aperture virtual extended array beam. Two-dimensional acoustic images of the object, such as the horizontal-vertical direction, horizontal distance, and range vertical, are obtained. The results show that the object echo highlights of the single-layer shell are obtained three parts of the boat: the hull, shell, and stern, and the vertical distribution characteristics reflect the vertical position relationship of the three parts. The formation mechanism of the echo highlights includes the smooth surface echo of a large area in the hull, hull, and other parts, and the angular wave at the joint of the hull and hull and the hull and stern.