Depth estimation for broadband sources with a vertical line array in deep water

In deep water, deploying a short vertical line array (VLA) is an effective way for source localization. In the past decade, most studies focused on localizing sources at the short to moderate ranges in the reliable acoustic path or the direct arrival zone (DAZ), with a VLA deployed near the ocean bottom. Little work has been done for the end part of the DAZ and the zones outside the DAZ. In addition, a VLA deployed at other depths rather than near the bottom is rarely studied. This paper proposes a near-surface source depth estimation method by matching the measured time delay with a library of modeled values under different source depths calculated by a simple formula. This method is suitable for zones, which contains two paths (one is reflected from the sea surface) with very close arrival angles, of a VLA deployed not only near the bottom, but also at other depths of the water column. Source depth estimation strategy for the end part of each zone, which faces the problem of poor depth resolution, is also analyzed. Simulation and experimental data of the airgun and explosive sources in the South China Sea are used to demonstrate the method.