A simple rising-edge detector for time-of-arrival estimation

Author

MaMullen, W.G. ; Delaughe, B.A. ; Bird, J.S.

Author_Institution

Underwater Res. Lab., Simon Fraser Univ., Burnaby, BC, Canada

Volume

45

Issue

4

fYear

1996

fDate

8/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

823

Lastpage

827

Abstract

A fast and simple technique for acoustic-pulse timing that is particularly suited for use in reverberant, multipath environments has been developed and implemented as part of an underwater acoustic positioning system. The technique analytically fits the rising edge of the pulse using two threshold levels and the corresponding threshold crossing times to give an asymptotically unbiased estimate of the time of flight. The technique yields a significant improvement in timing accuracy over the standard single-level threshold-crossing scheme, yet involves minimal additional electronic complexity. Selection of the two threshold levels, taking into account the expected variation in received signal levels, and the effects of system SNR on timing accuracy have been investigated

Keywords

acoustic imaging; acoustic pulses; marine systems; parameter estimation; position control; timing; underwater sound; SNR; acoustic-pulse timing; asymptotically unbiased estimate; electronic complexity; reverberant multipath environment; rising edge; rising-edge detector; single-level threshold-crossing; threshold crossing times; threshold levels; time-of-arrival estimation; timing accuracy; underwater acoustic positionin; Accuracy; Acoustic pulses; Detectors; Frequency; Interpolation; Legged locomotion; Polynomials; Signal processing algorithms; Time of arrival estimation; Timing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Instrumentation and Measurement, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9456

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/19.517003

Filename

517003