Sound propagation in a waveguide is greatly dependent on the acoustic properties of the boundaries. The effect of these properties can be described by a bottom reflection coefficient RB, and surface reflection coefficient RS. Two methods for estimating reflection coefficients are used in this research. The first, the ratio method, is based on the variations of the Green's function with depth utilizing the ratio of the wavenumber spectra at two depths. The second, the pole method, is based on the wavenumbers of the modal peaks in the spectrum at a particular depth. A method to invert for sound speed and density is also examined. Estimates of RB and RS based on synthetic data by the ratio method were very close to their predicted values, especially for higher frequencies and longer apertures. The pole method returned less precise estimates though with longer apertures, the estimates were better. Using experimental data, results of the pole method as well a geoacoustic inversion technique based on them were mixed. The ratio method was used to estimate RS based on the actual data and returned results close to the predicted phase of p. / by Alexander Conrad. / Vita. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

As part of a project to study internal waves, FAU plans to utilize an AUV to tow a magnetometer to study electromagnetic signatures from internal waves. This research is focused on the electromagnetic noise issues related to using an AUV to tow the magnetic sensor package. There are active sources of electromagnetic noise caused by an AUV that are present in addition to those induced by the Earth's magnetic field and permanent magnets. To characterize the magnetic noise associated with the AUV magnetometer tow system, the various active source elements were identified, the orientation sensitivity of the sensors being used was determined, and the magnetic anomaly of a similar AUV which may be eventually be used in a magnetic sensing arrangement was measured. The results are used to show the proposed sensing arrangement will likely not achieve the necessary sensitivity to measure subtle internal wave signals. / by Dylan Tilley. / Vita. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Levels of underwater noise in the open ocean have been increasing since at least the 1960s due to growth in global shipping traffic and the speed and propulsion power of vessels. This rise in noise levels reduces the range over which vocal marine species can communicate, and can induce physiological stress and behavioural responses, which may ultimately have population-level consequences. Although long-term noise trends have been studied at some open-ocean sites, in shallower coastal regions the high spatiotemporal variability of noise levels presents a substantial methodological challenge, and trends in these areas are poorly understood. This thesis addresses this challenge by introducing new techniques which combine multiple data sources for ship noise assessment in coastal waters. These data include Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship-tracking data, shore-based time-lapse footage, meteorological data, and tidal data. Two studies are presented: in the first, AIS data and acoustic recordings from Falmouth Bay in the western English Channel are combined using an adaptive threshold, which separates ship passages from background noise in the acoustic data. These passages are then cross-referenced with AIS vessel tracks, and the noise exposure associated with shipping activity is then determined. The second study, at a site in the Moray Firth, Scotland, expanded the method to include shore-based time-lapse footage, which enables visual corroboration of vessel identifications and the production of videos integrating the various data sources. Two further studies examine and enhance basic analysis techniques for ambient noise monitoring. The first study examines averaging metrics and their applicability to the assessment of noise from shipping. Long-term data from the VENUS observatory are empirically assessed for different averaging times and in the presence of outliers. It is concluded that the mean sound pressure level averaged in linear space is most appropriate, in terms of both standardization and relevance to impacts on marine fauna. In the second study, a new technique for the statistical analysis of long-term passive acoustic datasets, termed spectral probability density (SPD), is introduced. It is shown that the SPD can reveal characteristics such as multimodality, outlier influence, and persistent self-noise, which are not apparent using conventional techniques. This helps to interpret long-term datasets, and can indicate whether an instrument’s dynamic range is appropriate to field conditions. Taken together, the contributions presented in this thesis help to establish a stronger methodological basis for the assessment of shipping noise. These methods can help to inform emerging policy initiatives, efforts to standardise underwater noise measurements, and investigation into the effects of shipping noise on marine life.

A predictive methodology for received signal variation as a function of ocean perturbations is developed using a ray-based analysis of the effects of internal waves and ocean turbulence on long and short range underwater acoustic propagation. In the present formulation the eikonal equations are considered in the form of a second-order, nonlinear ordinary differential equation with harmonic excitation due to an internal wave. The harmonic excitation is taken imperfect, i.e., with a random phase modulation due to Gaussian white noise, accounting for both chaotic and stochastic behavior. Simulated turbulence is represented using the potential theory line vortex approach. Simulations are conducted for long range propagation, 1000km, containing internal wave fields with added deterministic effects and are compared to those fields with non-deterministic properties. These results show that long range acoustic propagation has a very strong dependence on the intensity of deterministic fluctuations. Numerical analysis for short range propagation, 10km, was constructed for sound passage through the following perturbation scenarios: simulated turbulence, an internal wave field, and a field of internal waves and simulated turbulence combined. Investigation over varied initial conditions and perturbation strengths suggests internal wave environments supply the majority of spatial variation and turbulent eddy fields are primarily responsible for delay fluctuation. Spectra of the variations in mean travel velocity reveal internal wave dominance to be dependent on the intensity of the wave.

L’onde acoustique est utilisée par de nombreux systèmes et organismes marins pour communiquer, naviguer ou inférer de l’information sur l’environnement. Le développement des activités humaines liées au monde de la mer induit une augmentation du nombre de sources acoustiques en activité simultanée dans l’océan. L’environnement acoustique sous-marin (ASM) est donc partagé par de nombreuses sources hétérogènes (sonars, modems, mammifères marins, ...) entrant involontairement en compétition pour l’utilisation d’une ressource offerte par le canal de transmission. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est de proposer des solutions permettant aux systèmes de communications ASM d’adapter leurs paramètres de transmission de manière intelligente, autonome et décentralisée selon l’environnement acoustique dans lequel ils évoluent. A plusieurs égards, les problématiques de ce sujet de thèse sont proches de celles ayant motivé le développement des recherches sur la radio cognitive. Cependant, les spécificités du milieu acoustique, les sources d’interférencesde diverses natures, et l’absence de standards de communications posent de nouvelles difficultés. / Underwater acoustic waves are used by many systems and biologic organisms to communicate, navigate or infer information about the environment. Future developments of human maritime activities imply an increase of the number of active acoustic sources in the oceans. The underwater environment is therefore shared by many heterogeneous sources (sonars, modems, marine mammals, ...) competing involuntarily for using the physical resources offered by the communication channel.The goal of this thesis is to provide solutions allowing autonomous and decentralized adaptation of the transmission strategies of underwater acoustic communication systems, according to the environment. To some extent, this work deals with topics that are closely related to what has motivated the first researches on cognitive radio systems. However, the specific properties of the underwater environment, the heterogeneity of interfering acoustic sources, and the absence of communication standards rise new difficulties.

Thesis (Elec. E.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and, (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 1976. / Microfiche copy available in Archives and Engineering. / Includes bibliographical references. / by James B. Gallemore. / M.S.

Thesis (Ocean E)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Includes bibliographical references. / by Carl Alzen Wales. / Ocean E

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING / Includes bibliographical references. / by Yie-Ming Chen. / M.S.

Thesis. 1975. B.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. / Bibliography: leaf 36. / by Douglas W. White. / B.S.

Thesis. 1978. Elec.E.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / Elec.E.