Underwater Acoustic Signal Denoising Algorithms: A Survey of the State of the Art

Underwater acoustic signal (UAS) denoising is crucial for enhancing the reliability of underwater communication and monitoring systems by mitigating the effects of noise and improving signal clarity. The complex and dynamic nature of underwater environments presents unique challenges that make effective denoising essential for accurate data interpretation and system performance. This article comprehensively reviews recent advances in UAS denoising, focusing on its critical role in improving these systems. The review begins by addressing the fundamental challenges in UAS processing, such as signal attenuation, noise variability, and environmental impacts. It then categorizes and analyzes various denoising algorithms, including conventional, decomposition-based, and learning-based approaches, discussing their applications, strengths, and limitations. Additionally, the article reviews evaluation metrics and experimental datasets used in the field. The conclusion highlights key open questions and suggests future research directions, emphasizing the development of more adaptive and robust denoising techniques for dynamic underwater environments.