PC3400: Survey of Underwater Acoustics - NPS Online
Survey of Underwater Acoustics
Course #PC3400
Est.imated Completion Time: 3 months
POC: NPS Online Support
Overview
Introduction to the physics of the generation, propagation, and detection of sound in the ocean. Topics include the active and passive sonar equations; radiation of sound; acoustic wave equation and wave propagation; the ray approximation, normal mode propagation, the parabolic equation approximation; propagation uncertainty; reflection of plane waves from plane boundaries; speed of sound and absorption; transmission-loss and detection-threshold models; horizontal and vertical linear arrays. Discussions include literature reviews and assignments focus on modeling of sonar equation components and data processing.
Included in degrees & certificates
- 235
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how sound propagates from the source to the receiver in underwater acoustic waveguides
- Identify terms in the sonar equation
- Understand the importance of noise for underwater acoustic sonar signal processing
- Apply transmission loss approximations to specific waveguides
- Understand the differences between various computational transmission loss models
- Conceptual understanding of plane wave beamforming and apply array-processing to simulations and data
- Be able to combine above tools and interpret sound propagation results

Application Deadlines
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08 Jan 2024
Spring Quarter applications due
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01 Apr 2024
Summer Quarter applications due
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08 Jul 2024
Fall Quarter applications due
Academic Calendar
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12 Dec 2023 – 14 Dec 2023
Fall Quarter final examinations
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15 Dec 2023
Fall Quarter graduation
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18 Dec 2023 – 05 Jan 2024
Winter break
See NPS Academic Calendar for more dates.