Modeling Acoustic Signal Fluctuations Induced by Sea Surface Roughness

An empirical fetch‐limited ocean wave spectrum has been combined with an acoustic ray‐based model to predict the acoustic signal time‐angle fluctuations induced by sea surface roughness. Rough sea surface realizations are generated and used as sea surface boundaries with the acoustic model. To validate this model, results are compared against experimental data collected in a fetch limited region. These data includes simultaneous wind speed and acoustic propagation (1–18 kHz) measurements in a fetch limited coastal region. Modeled time‐angle fluctuations compare well with field data at lower wind speeds (< 10 m/s). © 2004 American Institute of Physics