Investigating the reliable acoustic path properties in a global scale

Abstract

Leveraging the benefits of low transmission loss and high signal-to-noise ratio, the reliable acoustic path (RAP) has been extensively employed in various underwater applications. In this study, we investigate RAP properties on a global scale. Acoustic simulations were conducted using global grids with a 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution, revealing that RAP range is positively correlated with ocean depth. Contrary to the prevailing belief that RAP properties are relatively unaffected by sound speed variations, our findings indicate that sound speed profiles (SSPs) play a crucial role in determining RAP properties by altering the RAP from 15 km to 50 km at a constant ocean depth of 4000 m. Additionally, the receiver angle can vary by nearly 5 km at the same source location due to SSP variations. Consequently, utilizing highly accurate SSPs can enhance the performance of underwater localization or communication systems that rely on RAP.