Study on active towed sonar detection under seabed reflection interference

The launch array of the active towed array, in the horizontal collinear form, experiences interference from seabed reflection waves during operation, which seriously affects the equipment's echo detection performance. To address this issue, the delay estimation accuracy of echo detection is improved to enhance equipment performance under seabed reflection interference. Based on the Richardson-Lucy (R-L) deconvolution algorithm, the convolution model of matched filter is first analyzed and then an iterative solution formula is provided for underwater acoustic channel impulse response function. We analyzed target echo detection performance under different iteration numbers, input signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and seabed reflection wave interferences while conducting relevant simulation tests. Simulation results indicate that R-L deconvolution algorithm has a narrower main lobe width and lower sidelobe level making it suitable for low SNR conditions with faster convergence rates. The active towed array sonar in horizontal collinear form shows significant improvement in its detection performance, and the applicability of the proposed algorithm is verified through experimental data processing on a lake.