Fast matching methods for inversion with underwater sound

Matched-field processing approaches are powerful tools for source localization and environmental parameter estimation in the ocean. Requiring multiple replica field calculations, however, matched-field processing can have significant computational demands. This work investigates the potential for using matched-field techniques that match only select “features” of the acoustic fields, attempting to reduce the computational requirements for successful inversion. The features this paper focuses on are arrival times of select paths. A “matching” technique for inversion using only arrival times is discussed and results are shown. A new process for the efficient selection of arrival times is also proposed