Three Dimensional Volume Coverage in Multistatic Sonar Sensor Networks

Recent changes in the design of enemy threats such as submarines and the technological achievements in sensor development have paved the way for multistatic sonar applications, which increase security and situational awareness in underwater tactical operations. Previously, coverage in multistatic sonar sensor networks (MSSN) was studied using Cassini ovals and the traditional sonar detection model in two dimensions without any discussion of the practicability and feasibility in terms of conditions related to the underwater acoustic propagation environment. In this study, a practical three-dimensional MSSN channel model is proposed. The proposed model covers a spectral variation of absorption loss, ambient noise, sound speed profile, and shadow zones. The realistic effects of sound propagation and environmental conditions are modeled and evaluated using Lybin, which is a well-known sonar performance prediction tool. Using the practical MSSN channel model, the number of source-receiver pairs required to cover a three-dimensional MSSN volume is calculated. The impacts of frequency, source-to-receiver distance, and source level are investigated. The results are compared to the Cassini oval and traditional sonar detection models via an error expression derived according to our verified practical model. The results reveal that the inclusion of ambient conditions and sound propagation characteristics in the channel model leads to huge error levels of 4700000% in the Cassini oval model and 170000% in the traditional sonar detection model, depending on frequency. Thus, the applicability of these models in realistic MSSN deployment scenarios is limited.