Outdoor sound propagation in the presence of atmospheric turbulence: Experiments and theoretical analysis with the fast field program algorithm

Results of experimental measurements of sound propagating over the range from 16 to 250 m at frequencies between 160 and 2000 Hz in a refracting atmosphere are described. Wind velocity and temperature are also measured simultaneously with the acoustical measurements at different heights. The meteorological measurements provide the sound-speed profile as well as the strength of turbulence up to an elevation of 32 m. The measurements are sampled every 0.25 s, thus providing a continuous record of sound-speed profiles and sound-pressure levels over time. The individual sound-speed profile is used to generate predicted sound levels that are compared with the measured sound levels.