Hydrophysics

Hydrophysics

Simulation of Sonar Functionality by Employing Multi-Criteria Decision Making Method of AHP

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Reza Khajavi 1
Mohammad Vahedian 2
Azad Vatandoust 3
Jalil Toosifar 4
1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Sadjad University, Mashhad
3 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Malek-Ashtar University of technology, Iran
4 Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
By employing acoustic emissions from surface or subsurface naval platforms, sonar systems (encompassing both active and passive modalities) are tasked with the detection, identification, and localization of such assets. A sonar simulator, as a software construct, emulates the functionality of a physical sonar system. Beyond its pedagogical applications, it offers significant cost efficiencies in the research and development lifecycle of defense systems and serves as a valuable tool in operational planning and the representation of tactical scenarios. The implementation of a sonar simulator model necessitates addressing two key phases: the reconstruction of observational signals and the subsequent inversion process for target rendering. These phases can be modeled through disparate or integrated methodologies. This research addresses the dual challenges of a paucity of observational signal datasets across diverse vessel types and the imperative for real-time simulation. To this end, a novel approach to passive sonar operational simulation is proposed, drawing inspiration from the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), an established optimization and decision-making framework within management science. This methodology operationalizes the simulation by mapping the domain expertise and experiential insights of sonar operators onto an interconnected hierarchical network of salient criteria and influential alternatives.
Keywords
AHP
MCDM
Simulation
Sonar

Subjects

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Hydrophysics
Volume 10, Issue 2 - Serial Number 19
September 2025
Pages 129-145

  • Receive Date 20 May 2025
  • Revise Date 13 November 2025
  • Accept Date 18 November 2025