Fast direction of arrival algorithm based on vector-sensor arrays using wideband sources

Abstract

An acoustic vector sensor (AVS) can capture more information than a conventional acoustic pressure sensor (APS). As a result, more output channels are required when multiple AVS are formed into arrays, making processing the data stream computationally intense. This paper proposes a new algorithm based on the propagator method for wideband coherent sources that eliminates eigen-decomposition in order to reduce the computational burden. Data from simulations and lake trials showed that the new algorithm is valid: it resolves coherent sources, breaks left/right ambiguity, and allows inter element spacing to exceed a half-wavelength.

Keywords

acoustic vector sensor / propagator method / coherent processing / fast algorithm

References

[1] D’spain G. L. Vector sensors and vector sensor line arrays: comments on optimal array gain and detection[J]. J Acoust Soc Am., 2006, 120(1): 171-185

[2] D’SPAIN G L. Initial analysis of the data from the vertical DIFAR array[C]//Ocean’92: Mastering the Oceans Through Technology. Newport, Rhode Island, USA. 1992.

[3] Tichavsky P., Wong K. T. Near-field/far-field azimuth and elevation angle estimation using a single vector hydrophone[J]. IEEE Trans SP, 2001, 49(11): 2498-2510

[4] Zoltowski M. D., Wong K. T. Closed-form eigenstructure based direction finding using arbitrary but identical subarrays on a sparse uniform Cartesian array grid[J]. IEEE Trans SP, 2000, 48(8): 2205-2210

[5] Marcos S. The propagator method for source bearing estimation[J]. Signal Processing, 1995, 42: 121-138

[6] Wang H., Kaveh M. Coherent signal-subspace processing for the detection and estimation of angles of arrival of multiple wide-band sources[J]. IEEE Trans ASSP, 1985, 33(4): 823-831

[7] Chen H. W., Zhao J. W. Wideband MVDR beamforming for acoustic vector sensor linear array[J]. IEEE Proc Radar Sonar Navig, 2004, 151(3): 158-162

[8] Krolik J., Swingler D. The performance of minimax spatial resampling filters for focusing wide-band arrays[J]. IEEE Trans SP, 1991, 39(8): 1899-1903