A Numerical Simulation Model of the Induce Polarization: Ideal Electric Field Coupling System for Underwater Active Electrolocation Method

Active electrolocation is a promising method for underwater terminal navigation. In our previous work, the amplitude information-frequency characteristic (AIFC) of an underwater active electrolocation system has been investigated, and the detect frequency dead zone (DFDZ) and the frequency inflection point (FIP) of AIFC has been found. In this paper, to explain these phenomena, a finite-element model (FEM) of underwater active electrolocation system based on Maxwell theory has been built. In addition, the steel cylinder was selected as the object in the FEM simulation. However, neither DFDZ nor FIP appeared in the simulation results. Inspired by exploration geophysics, we speculated that these phenomena might be caused by the induce polarization (IP) effect. Then, another FEM, which is based on the coupling Cole–Cole model and Maxwell theory, of the underwater active electrolocation system has been built as well. In the simulation based on this model, the steel cylinder and copper cylinder were selected as the object. According to the simulation results, it could be concluded that: 1) the IP effect is a reasonable mathematical explanation for the DFDZ and FIP phenomenon of AIFC; 2) the DFDZ and FIP of AIFC can be simulated by the Cole–Cole model; and 3) the turning frequency of object is related to parameters of the Cole–Cole model.