Predicted system performance of improved underwater light sources

The system performance of the two improved underwater light sources which have been recently developed at the Naval Undersea Center and other advanced light sources is predicted by computer simulation. System performance is evaluated as a function of source-receiver separation, receiver sensitivity, and the angular extent of the beam pattern of the source in representative samples of coastal and deep ocean waters. A figure of merit is calculated for each combination of light source and television camera to provide a convenient reference for comparing the power limitations of the different systems. In addition, signal to backscatter ratios are calculated to provide data on the backscatter limitations of the different systems.