Reverberation rejection with a dual-line towed array

Low-frequency bottom reverberation from explosive sources was measured with a dual-line horizontal towed array during a 1991 system engineering trial. The receiver's parallel line arrays were processed coherently in order to unambiguously resolve the reverberation field in azimuth. Initial beamforming that assumed a straight-and-parallel array configuration led to poor or erroneous ambiguity resolution, suggesting the system was deformed significantly from the assumed shape. In the absence of reliable shape measurement data, the array shape was deduced acoustically using tow ship signals and the direct blast of an explosive source. The estimated shape was then used in a shape-compensated beamformer to produce azimuthally unambiguous estimates of the reverberation field. Backlobe rejection of more than 20 dB was attained for both direct blast and distant reverberation energy.