Source Localization from Horizontal Multipath Using a Horizontal Line Array in the Continental Shelf Environment

A method for three-dimensional (3D) underwater source localization in the continental slope environment using horizontal multipath is presented. Initially, a rapid calculation model for the 3D sound field is proposed, based on spatial coordinate rotation transformation combined with the mode parabolic equation theory. Subsequently, the arrival angles of the multipath signals received by a horizontal line array (HLA) are estimated using the Minimum Variance Distortionless Re-sponse (MVDR) technique. Furthermore, the theory of vertical mode-horizontal ray is integrated to perform ray anti-tracing and achieve source localization. The method's high accuracy is demonstrated in actual topographic scenarios of the continental slope. Additionally, impact of sound wave frequency, receiver array position, and modal average phase velocity on localization performance has been thoroughly analyzed.