Intensity variations of high‐frequency broadband acoustic scatter from sea surface in coastal environment

Data from a broadband propagation experiment for mid‐to‐high‐frequency (0.6–18 kHz) in the very shallow water (15 m) of Delaware Bay are studied over a wide range of environmental conditions. Physical parameters such as temperature and salinity as well as hydrodynamic parameters such as surface waves, tide, and current were measured simultaneously with acoustic transmissions. Three hydrophones were utilized to record the received signals in the source/receiver range of 389 m. A beamforming technique is used to allow examination of the arrival angle as a function of arrival time. Statistical correction is applied to normalize the arrival signals and to correct for sidelobes. Four ray paths having only one interaction and scattered by the sea surface into micro‐multipaths are considered for analysis. The focus of this study is on the evaluation of these signals as a function of sea surface roughness during several tide cycles. To analyze the data, PE calculations are conducted and parameter studies for diff...