Abstract: A geometrical model for geometrical localization of T²-R multistatic sonar is established. A multistatic time-bearing-localization (MTBL) algorithm is proposed, and the error of geometrical dilution is presented. The effects of baseline length, sonar deployment and measurement error on the localization accuracy of algorithm are studied through numerical simulation, and other indispensable influencing factors are qualitatively analyzed. The simulation results show that the localization accuracy in most regions is improved with the increase in length of baseline. For the given deployment mode, the localization accuracy is sensitive to the time measurement error, but the bearing measurement error has a limited impact on the performance of the algorithm. The proper deployment of sound sources can enhance the mean localization accuracy. The study provides a well theoretical evidence for underwater localization of T²-R multistatic sonar.

Key words: acoustics, multistatic sonar, geometrical distribution, error, localization accuracy