Mapping seafloor properties by inversion of short-range reverberation as measured with a low frequency active sonar

The design of a bistatic short-range, shallow water reverberation model is presented, which aims to reproduce the reverberation measurements carried out by TNO, TUS, FFI and KDA in the Vestfjorden area (Norway), during the RUMBLE project. These were collected by using a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) source received on a towed horizontal triplet array. A first comparison between model predictions and measured bistatic reverberation is discussed, as well as the processing procedures being used. Despite the simplifying assumptions, the model shows the ability to recognise the main features of the measured data. This allows us to discuss further steps in modelling efforts, as well as the final goal of using inversion techniques for mapping purposes (seafloor properties, water depth)