Difference frequency coherent matched autoproduct processing for source localization in deep ocean

Matched autoproduct processing (MAP) refers to a matched field processing (MFP) style array signal processing technique for passive source localization, which interrogates frequency-difference autoproduct instead of genuine acoustic pressure. Due to frequency downshifting, MAP is less sensitive to environmental mismatch, but it suffers from low spatial resolution and a low peak-to-sidelobe ratio of ambiguity surface. These source localization metrics are herein improved with coherent approaches. Specifically, the coherent normalized MFP is extended to coherent matched autoproduct processing (CMAP), a difference frequency coherent algorithm that exploits correlations among the autoproducts at various difference frequencies and eliminates the phase factor of the source spectrum for passive source localization. Phase-only coherent matched autoproduct processing is a CMAP derivation technique that only uses phase information. Through simulations in a Munk sound-speed profile environment, sensitivity analysis in the South China Sea environment, and high signal-to-noise ratio experimental measurements, these two algorithms are validated as compared to the conventional MFP and incoherent MAP. Simulation investigations demonstrate that difference frequency coherent algorithms can suppress sidelobes while simultaneously enhancing the localization resolution and robustness. The experimental results generally support the findings of the simulations.