Robust Detection of Underwater Target Against Non-Uniform Noise With Optical Fiber DAS Array

TL;DR

This paper introduces a robust underwater target detection method using an optical fiber DAS array with a novel spiral-sensitized cable and a sparse covariance-fitting framework, significantly improving noise resilience and detection accuracy.

Contribution

The study presents a new optical fiber DAS system with a spiral-sensitized cable and a broadband sparse covariance-fitting algorithm for enhanced underwater target detection under non-uniform noise conditions.

Findings

Higher detection accuracy than conventional beamforming methods

Significantly improved sensitivity of the optical fiber DAS system

High fidelity signal capture with a correlation coefficient of 0.973

Abstract

The detection of underwater targets is severely affected by the non-uniform spatial characteristics of marine environmental noise. Additionally, the presence of both natural and anthropogenic acoustic sources, including shipping traffic, marine life, and geological activity, further complicates the underwater acoustic landscape. Addressing these challenges requires advanced underwater sensors and robust signal processing techniques. In this paper, we present a novel approach that leverages an optical fiber distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system combined with a broadband generalized sparse covariance-fitting framework for underwater target direction sensing, particularly focusing on robustness against non-uniform noise. The DAS system incorporates a newly developed spiral-sensitized optical cable, which significantly improves sensitivity compared to conventional submarine cables. This innovative design enables the system to capture acoustic signals with greater precision. Notably, the sensitivity of the spiral-wound sensitized cable is around -145.69 dB re: 1 rad / (uPa*m), as measured inside the standing-wave tube. Employing simulations, we assess the performance of the algorithm across diverse noise levels and target configurations, consistently revealing higher accuracy and reduced background noise compared to conventional beamforming techniques and other sparse techniques. In a controlled pool experiment, the correlation coefficient between waveforms acquired by the DAS system and a standard hydrophone reached 0.973, indicating high fidelity in signal capture.