Simple Detection-Performance Analysis of Multistatic Sonar for Anti- Submarine Warfare

摘要

This report describes a method of deriving the detection performance of a multistatic sonar field from the performance of a field of similar sonars operated monostatically. It allows a direct comparison of the two modes of operation, thereby quantifying the advantage, if any, of multistatics. The method is derived from the sonar equation in the noise-limited regime. We also compare two different network architectures for tracking: each receiver performing its own tracking or detection information being passed to a central tracking node. We start with three schematic monostatic detection-probability curves, ranging from almost a cookie cutter to an exponential shape, which has a long low-probability tail. We find that networking, whether to perform multistatics or to centralise tracking, brings no advantage for a cookie-cutter detection probability. With the exponential shape, on the other hand, a multistatic field can be spaced at about twice the separation for the same detection performance as a field of similar sonars operated monostatically. That is, a given area can be covered with about one quarter the number of sensors. Centralising the tracking allows about an additional third increase in sonar separation.