Atmospheric Effects on Microphone Array Analysis of Aircraft Vortex Sound

Abstract

This paper provides the basis of a comprehensive analysis of vortex sound propagation through the atmosphere in order to assess real atmospheric effects on acoustic array processing. Such effects may impact vortex localization accuracy and detection probability over longer distances. The paper shows that propagation through the atmosphere can significantly alter the propagation time of the rays from the source to the receiver from that which would be experienced in an ambient atmosphere. More importantly, it can also change the delay time between microphones on which the array processing is based. Implications of these results on the design and resolution of microphone arrays are discussed.