A Single-Hydrophone Passive Localization Method in Sloping Shallow Water Using Warping-Transformed Eigenfrequency Analysis

Passive localization of broadband impulsive sources in shallow water is particularly challenging when using a single hydrophone, especially over a sloping seabed. This study presents a novel single-hydrophone localization method for broadband impulsive sources in sloping shallow water. The approach utilizes warping-transformed eigenfrequencies derived from the energy density function of received signals. A key innovation is the method’s capability for simultaneous range and depth estimation in sloping seabed environments, achieved through eigenfrequency pattern matching for range estimation and normalized amplitude matching for depth estimation. The method depends primarily on waveguide depth and average sound speed, enabling robust estimation while exhibiting inherent insensitivity to variations in other environmental parameters. Both simulated and experimental data from a winter sea trial in the East China Sea validate the performance of this dual-parameter estimation approach. The results demonstrate practical applicability for underwater acoustic monitoring and remote sensing in challenging shallow water environments with complex seabed topography.