A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets

GE Lili; LI Jie; LIU Yan; FAN Jun

doi:10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

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Article Navigation > Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems > 2026 > Accepted Manuscript

GE Lili, LI Jie, LIU Yan, FAN Jun. A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

Citation:

GE Lili, LI Jie, LIU Yan, FAN Jun. A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

GE Lili, LI Jie, LIU Yan, FAN Jun. A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

Citation:

GE Lili, LI Jie, LIU Yan, FAN Jun. A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems. doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

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A Review of the Acoustic Scattering Characteristics of Diver Targets

doi: 10.11993/j.issn.2096-3920.2026-0062

GE Lili^{1, 2
,},
LI Jie^{1, 2
,},
LIU Yan³,
FAN Jun^{1, 2, 3}

1.
Key Laboratory of Marine Intelligent Equipment and System, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
2.
School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
3.
College of Underwater Acoustics Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China

Received Date: 2026-03-30
Accepted Date: 2026-04-29
Rev Recd Date: 2026-04-27

Available Online: 2026-06-08

Abstract

Abstract

Diver targets are typical low-observable small underwater targets in shallow-water environments. They are characterized by low target strength (TS), strong sensitivity to posture, significant coupling among multiple components, and pronounced non-stationary behavior. Variations in geometric scale, material properties, and motion patterns among the human body, diving suit, breathing apparatus, fins, and exhaled bubbles make the echo response exhibit multi-source scattering and time-varying modulation. Meanwhile, shallow-water multipath propagation, reverberation, and ambient noise further increase the difficulty of target detection and recognition. Focusing on active sonar applications, this paper reviews recent research progress on diver-target echo characteristics, including echo modeling, experimental studies, tracking and localization, and detection and recognition. The effects of key components, such as scuba cylinders, exhaled bubbles, lungs, diving suits, and fins, on the overall echo characteristics are systematically summarized. The main problems in existing studies are analyzed, and possible directions for future research are discussed. This review is expected to provide a useful reference for active-sonar-based detection and recognition of diver targets.
- diver target,
- active sonar,
- scattering modeling,
- target strength,
- tracking and localization,
- detection and recognition

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References(77)

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