TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2002//
TI  - Acoustic propagation and atmosphere characteristics derived from infrasonic waves generated by the Concorde
JO  - Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
A1  - Le, Pichon Alexis
A1  - Garcés, Milton
A1  - Blanc, Elisabeth
A1  - Barthélémy, Maud
A1  - Drob, Doug P.
SP  - 629
EP  - 641
VL  - 111
IS  - 1 Pt 2
N2  - Infrasonic signals generated by daily supersonic Concorde flights between North America and Europe have been consistently recorded by an array of microbarographs in France. These signals are used to investigate the effects of atmospheric variability on long-range sound propagation. Statistical analysis of wave parameters shows seasonal and daily variations associated with changes in the wind structure of the atmosphere. The measurements are compared to the predictions obtained by tracing rays through realistic atmospheric models. Theoretical ray paths allow a consistent interpretation of the observed wave parameters. Variations in the reflection level, travel time, azimuth deviation and propagation range are explained by the source and propagation models. The angular deviation of a ray's azimuth direction, due to the seasonal and diurnal fluctuations of the transverse wind component, is found to be approximately 5 degrees from the initial launch direction. One application of the seasonal and diurnal variations of the observed phase parameters is the use of ground measurements to estimate fluctuations in the wind velocity at the reflection heights. The simulations point out that care must be taken when ascribing a phase velocity to a turning height. Ray path simulations which allow the correct computation of reflection heights are essential for accurate phase identifications.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0001-4966
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -