Abstract This paper focuses on the relationship between the propagation time and the integral of the sound velocity profile (SVP) with respect to depth (SVP area for short) for positioning seafloor reference points. We proved a linear relationship between the propagation time and the SVP area and defined its mathematical expression (ST law). We showed in three simulations of possible variations in SVPs (random errors, internal waves, or a combination of both) that this ST law is verified. Using this new law in a simulated experiment, the ranging residuals due to sound velocity change through time are significantly improved. With this method, monitoring the SVP while acquiring travel times to a submerged transponder can significantly reduce the positioning errors of the transponder.

中文翻译：

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海底参考点定位的传播时间与声速剖面的关系

摘要 本文重点研究了传播时间与声速剖面（SVP）对深度（简称SVP区域）积分之间的关​​系，用于定位海底参考点。我们证明了传播时间和 SVP 面积之间的线性关系并定义了它的数学表达式（ST 定律）。我们在 SVP 的可能变化（随机误差、内波或两者的组合）的三个模拟中表明，该 ST 定律得到了验证。在模拟实验中使用这个新定律，由于声速随时间变化引起的测距残差得到显着改善。使用这种方法，在获取到水下转发器的行程时间的同时监控 SVP 可以显着减少转发器的定位误差。