Multistatic sonar with range-only information

A multistatic sonar system, consisting of an isotropically radiating source and several omnidirectional receivers distributed over the surveillance area, is described. Only the echo arrival times are transmitted to a central processor. This processor decides whether or not a target is present within the surveillance area and also approximately determines the position of a detected target. Based on a specific scanning pattern, various test procedures were investigated with respect to their power. The primitive coincidence test is nearly optimal. A post detection system drastically reduces false alarms. This multistatic sonar system can only compete with a monostatic system if many receivers are positioned in the potential target neighborhood.