A correlation analysis of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division's (NSWC PCD) database of simulated and collected target scattering responses focused on automated target recognition

Recently, NSWC PCD participated in a number of computational and experimental efforts aimed at assembling a database of sonar scattering responses encompassing a variety of objects including UXO, cylindrical shapes, and other clutter-type objects. The range of data available on these objects consists of a simulated component generated with 3D finite element calculations coupled to a fast Helmholtz-equation-based propagation scheme, a well-controlled experimental component collected in NSWC PCD’s pond facilities, and a component of measurements in realistic underwater environments off Panama City, FL (TREX13 and BayEX14). The goal is to use the database to test schemes for automating reliable separation of these objects into desired classes. Here, we report on an initial correlation analysis of the database projected onto the target aspect vs frequency plane to assess the feasibility of the simulated component against the measured ones, to investigate some basic questions regarding environmental and range effects on class separation, and to try and identify phenomena in this plane useful for classification. [Work supported by ONR and SERDP.]