Development of near field Acoustic Target Strength equations for polygonal plates and applications to underwater vehicles

근접장에서 다각 평판에 대한 표적강도 이론식 개발 및 수중함의 근거리 표적강도 해석

Acoustic Target Strength (TS) is a major parameter of the active sonar equation, which indicates the ratio of the radiated intensity from the source to the re-radiated intensity by a target. In developing a TS equation, it is assumed that the radiated pressure is known and the re-radiated intensity is unknown. This research provides a TS equation for polygonal plates, which is applicable to near field acoustics. In this research, Helmholtz-Kirchhoff formula is used as the primary equation for solving the re-radiated pressure field; the primary equation contains a surface (double) integral representation. The double integral representation can be reduced to a closed form, which involves only a line (single) integral representation of the boundary of the surface area by applying Stoke's theorem. Use of such line integral representations can reduce the cost of numerical calculation. Also Kirchhoff approximation is used to solve the surface values such as pressure and particle velocity. Finally, a generalized definition of Sonar Cross Section (SCS) that is applicable to near field is suggested. The TS equation for polygonal plates in near field is developed using the three prescribed statements; the redection to line integral representation, Kirchhoff approximation and a generalized definition of SCS. The equation developed in this research is applicable to near field, and therefore, no approximations are allowed except the Kirchhoff approximation. However, examinations with various types of models for reliability show that the equation has good performance in its applications. To analyze a general shape of model, a submarine type model was selected and successfully analyzed.