Deep learning methods for modeling infrasound transmission loss in the middle atmosphere

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimized deep learning model that accurately predicts infrasound transmission loss over large distances in the middle atmosphere, significantly reducing computation time compared to traditional methods.

Contribution

An improved convolutional neural network architecture that enhances infrasound transmission loss predictions across global atmospheric conditions, addressing previous limitations in wind condition handling.

Findings

Predicts TLs with an average error of 8.6 dB across 0.1-3.2 Hz frequencies.

Successfully models realistic atmospheric scenarios over 4000 km ranges.

Reduces computational costs compared to parabolic equation simulations.

Abstract

Accurate modeling of infrasound transmission losses (TLs) is essential to assess the performance of the global International Monitoring System infrasound network. Among existing propagation modeling tools, parabolic equation (PE) method enables TLs to be finely modeled, but its computational cost does not allow exploration of a large parameter space for operational monitoring applications. To reduce computation times, Brissaud et al. 2023 explored the potential of convolutional neural networks trained on a large set of regionally simulated wavefields (< 1000 km from the source) to predict TLs with negligible computation times compared to PE simulations. However, this method struggles in unfavorable initial wind conditions, especially at high frequencies, and causal issues with winds at large distances from the source affecting ground TLs close to the source. In this study, we have developed an optimized convolutional network designed to minimize prediction errors while predicting TLs from globally simulated combined temperature and wind fields spanning over propagation ranges of 4000 km. Our approach enhances the previously proposed one by implementing key optimizations that improve the overall architecture performance. The implemented model predicts TLs with an average error of 8.6 dB in the whole frequency band (0.1-3.2 Hz) and explored realistic atmospheric scenarios.