On methods to improve time delay estimation for underwater acoustic source localization

摘要

This paper addresses the problem of acoustic source localization in shallow water environment commonly dominated by impulsive noise and multipath phenomenon. Traditionally acoustic source localization with sensors spaced several wavelengths apart involves Time Delay Estimation (TDE) via Generalized Cross-Correlation Phase Transform (GCC-PHAT)(1). However multipath signals and impulsive noise in underwater ambience result in spurious peaks leading to anomalous time delay estimates, and in turn erroneous computation of source location. In the present work we recommend two methods to improve time delay estimation, based on order statistics and via signal detection. Simulation results indicate a significant improvement in time delay estimation as compared to GCC-PHAT in presence of impulsive noise and multipath induced fading.