Linear frequency modulation signal for channel impulse response measurement in shallow water environment

Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of channel propagation plays a very important role in the design of underwater acoustic communication. Underwater acoustic channel (UAC) model is usually carried out by measuring directly at a specific location and time. This paper presents the use of Linear Frequency Modulation (LFM) signal for channel impulse response estimation and power delay profile (PDP) measurement in a shallow water environment. Measurements were made in a laboratory-scale towing tank with three variations of distance and depth. Furthermore, the measurement results are compared with the existing underwater acoustic channel model. The measurement results show that the response impulses at the three distances have almost the same pattern and the resulting amplitude is similar to the existing underwater acoustic channel model simulation. The RMS delay spread generated from the three distances has a value of about 0,2 msec. Meanwhile, the maximum excess delay obtained at a distance of 120 m has the highest value, which is 29 msec.