Noise Field Calculation or Measurement Simulation? Some Comments on Ambient Noise Modeling

Undersea ambient noise is a complex phenomena which can be modelled in greater detail than it can be measured. This is a possible source for two common problems. The first is that the modelled field may not appear to agree with the measured field. The second is that the high detail increases the difficulty of using the results for system performance prediction or for interpretation of measured results. It is shown that both of these problems are solved when the noise model also simulates the sonar system and the modelled results are provided in terms of the system´s response to the noise field rather than the noise field alone.