A Gaussian beam ray tracing algorithm applied to three dimensional underwater bathymetries

Gaussian beam ray tracing is an efficient three dimensional (3D) sound propagation model for shallow underwater acoustics. Many models can handle flat, sloping and other conservative bottoms but they often break down when applied to more a complex bathymetry. The Gaussian beam sound propagation model is relatively simple and can effectively take into account a varying depth in range and bearing. A Gaussian beam ray tracing algorithm has been developed for tracing rays and transmission loss calculations