A Fast Method for Predicting Time-Domain Acoustic Scattering Echoes Based on the Highlight Model

Traditional time-domain acoustic scattering prediction methods for underwater targets, such as the finite element method (FEM) and boundary element method (BEM), rely on dense grid discretization, which causes the computational workload to increase dramatically as the frequency rises, making it difficult to meet the real-time detection requirements of high-frequency sonar systems. In this paper, we propose a fast time-domain echo prediction method based on a parameterized highlight model. This method decomposes the scattering echo calculation of complex targets into the coherent summation of highlights corresponding to basic geometries such as spheres and cylinders. By parameterizing these highlights, we derive the total acoustic scattering transfer function of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV), and then compute the time-domain echo signal using a frequency-domain indirect method. The proposed method achieves a 91-fold speed improvement while maintaining accuracy comparable to the planar elements method (PEM). Finally, the accuracy of the method is validated through a scaled model acoustic scattering experiment on a lake. The results demonstrate that the time-domain echo prediction method based on the parameterized highlight model is not influenced by grid size or number, enabling fast and accurate prediction of complex target echo signals. This method provides significant engineering reference value for real-time prediction of time-domain characteristics for underwater vehicles.