9. Conclusion

In addition to the numerical results presented for the three examples discussed, the reader is given an insight into the intellectual mechanism used by a sound engineer to determine the factors he can influence to improve performance. Two key points are source levels (linked to discretion) and the most suitable frequency bands according to the environment, the carrier, etc. The main virtue of the sonar equation is to be able to compare antennas and frequencies for various assumptions concerning the environment. On the other hand, the actual range value obtained can sometimes be highly uncertain.

Each term in the sonar equation (with the possible exception of the low end, see §