The paper presents the construction of a multi-dipole model that allows reproducing magnetic signatures of ferromagnetic objects. The virtual object used in the paper is an ellipsoid, which is the source of synthetic data. To make the situation more realistic, noise is added to the synthetic data. Two significant improvements compared to previous work are presented. Three-axial magnetometers are introduced instead of uniaxial magnetometers. However, a more important change is the modification of the model structure that allows placing dipoles on the entire plane, e.g. object’s deck. The multi-dipole model consists of an a priori assumed number of permanent and induced single-dipole models. Each single dipole is described by three magnetic moments and, depending on the applied approach, one or two dipole position parameters. The non-linear least-squares optimization method is used to determine model parameters. To assess the quality of magnetic signature reproduction, qualitative and quantitative forms are used. The final quality assessment is based on differences between the reference fields and the fields determined from the multi-dipole model. The applied modifications bring significant improvement, however, only their combined application allows to restore magnetic signatures with good quality for directions other than for which the data were available.

The article presents a continuation of the research on the 3D multi-dipole model applied to the reproduction of magnetic signatures of ferromagnetic objects. The model structure has been modified to improve its flexibility - model parameters determined by optimization can now be located in the cuboid contour representing the object’s hull. To stiffen the model, the training dataset was expanded to data collected from all four cardinal directions. The robustness of the modified multi-dipole model was verified with various noise levels applied to the synthetic data. A comprehensive numerical verification of the proposed methodology was performed using only data not involved in determining the modified multi-dipole model parameters: the data from intercardinal directions and from different depth were used for cross-validation. An analysis of the influence of initial conditions on the optimization process was carried out. In addition to the gradient optimization method, an evolutionary strategy was also used. Regularization was carried out to search for effective model parameterization. New verification methods were also applied based on the balance of magnetic moments and on the average width of the fit error interval. The results of the performed experiments have shown high robustness of the modified multi-dipole model, even in the face of high noise in the input data. The most significant advantage of the model is its predictive ability, enabling determination of magnetic signatures in any directions and depths with high accuracy.

The paper presents a new analytical four-layer (air–water–bottom–non-conductive layer) horizontal electric dipole model which allows an accurate approximation of ship's Underwater Electric Potential (UEP) from a sufficient depth in shallow coastal marine waters. The numerical methods, usually Finite Element Method (FEM) or Boundary Elements Method (BEM), are typically used to estimate the electric field and the distribution of static electric components of UEP around the ship. These methods enable analyses with high accuracy but, compared to other point-electrode methods and the proposed analytical model, they are relatively complex and need high computational time. The developed analytical model proposed in this paper allows real-time calculations without significant loss of accuracy of the UEP estimations. In the model, the problem of boundary values at the borders of individual layers is solved using the reflection/image method and applying the idea of continuity of electric potential at a given boundary between two adjacent layers. Its accuracy is verified based on the synthetic data provided by specialised software packages making use of FEM and BEM numerical methods. A dimensionless quantitative analysis of the relationships between basic parameters of the proposed four-layer analytical model and their impact on the accuracy of representation of individual electric field strength components is also delivered. The relationships between water and bottom conductivity and between water depth and bottom thickness are investigated and described. The obtained results show that the developed model allows detailed and reliable analysis of the electric field, especially in shallow coastal waters.

A ship moving over the surface of water generates disturbances that are perceived as noise, both in the air and under water. Due to its density, water is an excellent medium for transmitting acoustic waves over long distances. This article describes the impact of the settings of a ship’s machinery on the nature of the generated noise. Our analysis includes the frequency characteristics of the noise generated by the moving ship. Data were obtained using an underwater measurement system, and the measured objects were two ships moving on specific trajectories with certain machinery settings. The acquired data were analysed in the frequency domain to explore the possibilities of the acoustic classification of ships and diagnostics of source mechanisms.

The development of coastal infrastructure and related maritime transport necessitatesthe intensification of vessel traffic monitoring. Navigation systems used in this research are traditionally based on the information transmitted by radio waves. Marine traffic safety requires constant supervision carried out by dedicated systems, the operation of which may be limitedby difficult environmental conditions. The possibilities of supporting navigation systems with underwater observation systems are explored here. The research was carried out using an underwater measurement system. Local disturbances of the hydroacoustic and hydrodynamic field from the moving vessels were analysed. The potential for identifying a moving vessel, for example for offshore infrastructure security purposes, is demonstrated.