A Quasi-deterministic Channel Model for Underwater Acoustic Communication Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quasi-deterministic underwater acoustic channel model combining deterministic and stochastic methods, improving accuracy and flexibility for non-stationary underwater communication channels.

Contribution

It proposes a novel hybrid model integrating BELLHOP and GBSM for better representation of underwater acoustic channels, especially in shallow water environments.

Findings

Model accurately predicts channel statistical properties

Simulation results validate the proposed model

Enhanced understanding of Doppler effects in underwater channels

Abstract

In this paper, a quasi-deterministic (Q-D) model for non-stationary underwater acoustic (UWA) channels is proposed. This model combines the BELLHOP deterministic model and geometry-based stochastic model (GBSM), which provides higher accuracy and flexibility. Different propagation components in shallow water are classified as D-rays, R-rays and F-rays in the proposed model, where D-rays are modeled by BELLHOP while both R-rays and F-rays are modeled by GBSM. Some important channel statistical properties, including time-frequency correlation function (TF-CF), Doppler power spectrum density (PSD), average Doppler shift, and RMS Doppler spread are derived and simulated. Finally, simulation results illustrate the correctness of the proposed model.