Optimal depth for dipping sonar system using optimization algorithm

To overcome the disadvantage of hull mounted sonar, many countries operate dipping sonar system for helicopter. Although limited in performance, this system has the advantage of ensuring the survivability of the surface ship and improving the detection performance by adjusting the depth according to the ocean environment. In this paper, a method to calculate the optimal depth of the dipping sonar for helicopters is proposed by applying an optimization algorithm. In addition, in order to evaluate the performance of the sonar, the Sonar Performance Function (SPF) is defined to consider the ocean environment, the depth of the target and the depth of the dipping sonar. In order to reduce the calculation time, the optimal depth is calculated by applying Simulated Annealing (SA), one of the optimization algorithms. For the verification of accuracy, the optimal depth calculated by applying the optimization technique is compared with the calculation of the SPF. This paper also provides the results of calculation of optimal depth for ocean environment in the East sea.