Signal processing for an active sonar system suitable for advanced sensor technology applications and environmental adaptation schemes

An overview of the basic elements of an active sonar system in conjunction with a description of the signal processing chain utilized at the NATO Undersea Research Centre for detection and localization of undersea targets is presented. As the focus of the Navy has shifted to the complex and volatile littoral environments characterized by high background interference, emphasis is given to the capability of advanced sensor technology to resolve left/right ambiguity in the direction of arrival and in broadband adaptation methods to enhance detection performance by incorporating in situ environmental information in the processing chain. This processing was used in a series of sea trials organized and executed by the Centre, a few of which included submarine targets.