02100nas a2200229   4500008004100000022001400041245006900055210006500124260001600189300001600205490000800221520143700229100001501666700002201681700002101703700002201724700001601746700001801762700001801780700002101798856005101819       2018                        eng d  a0001-496600aThe feasibility of a multipurpose acoustic network in Baffin Bay0 afeasibility of a multipurpose acoustic network in Baffin Bay  cJan-09-2018  a1984 - 19840 v1443 a<p>Operating autonomous underwater vehicles at high latitudes is a challenge because ice cover prevents the use of GPS or data communications. As a result, our scientific observations are biased towards late spring, summer, and early autumn when ships can navigate and autonomous platforms can safely surface. To address this problem, we studied the feasibility of a basin-scale multipurpose acoustic network called the &ldquo;Baffin Bay Acoustic Navigation and Communication System&rdquo; (BBANC). BBANC would deploy broadband low frequency sources and receivers, offering one-way communication, acoustic positioning, and acoustic thermometry services. Passive acoustic listening elements would support the study of marine mammal communication and ambient noise from ships, ocean-based resource exploitation, and ice dynamics, as well as gate acoustic source operation in the presence of marine mammals. We describe the challenges and design parameters for such a system, as well as define additional acoustic and remote sensing measurements required to complete a system design. Drawing from a large database of Baffin Bay hydrography, we present simulations of under-ice sound speed conditions, ice properties derived from satellite remote sensing and upward looking sonar data, and modelled acoustic propagation paths in an ice-covered Baffin Bay. We also assess the feasibility of non-coherent and coherent communication.</p>
1 aRehm, Eric1 aDushaw, Brian, D.1 aFreitag, Lee, E.1 aHeaney, Kevin, D.1 aCarr, Scott1 aDakin, Thomas1 aFissel, David1 aHeard, Garry, J.  uhttp://asa.scitation.org/doi/10.1121/1.5068660