Study of Robust Adaptive Beamforming Algorithms Based on Power Method Processing and Spatial Spectrum Matching

Robust adaptive beamforming (RAB) based on interference-plus-noise covariance (INC) matrix reconstruction can experience performance degradation when model mismatch errors exist, particularly when the input signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is large. In this work, we devise an efficient RAB technique for dealing with covariance matrix reconstruction issues. The proposed method involves INC matrix reconstruction using an idea in which the power and the steering vector of the interferences are estimated based on the power method. Furthermore, spatial match processing is computed to reconstruct the desired signal-plus-noise covariance matrix. Then, the noise components are excluded to retain the desired signal (DS) covariance matrix. A key feature of the proposed technique is to avoid eigenvalue decomposition of the INC matrix to obtain the dominant power of the interference-plus-noise region. Moreover, the INC reconstruction is carried out according to the definition of the theoretical INC matrix. Simulation results are shown and discussed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method against existing approaches.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Efficient Covariance Matrix Reconstruction with Iterative Spatial Spectrum Sampling

This work presents a cost-effective technique for designing robust adaptive beamforming algorithms based on efficient covariance matrix reconstruction with iterative spatial power spectrum (CMR-ISPS). The proposed CMR-ISPS approach reconstructs the interference-plus-noise covariance (INC) matrix based on a simplified maximum entropy power spectral density function that can be used to shape the directional response of the beamformer. Firstly, we estimate the directions of arrival (DoAs) of the interfering sources with the available snapshots. We then develop an algorithm to reconstruct the INC matrix using a weighted sum of outer products of steering vectors whose coefficients can be estimated in the vicinity of the DoAs of the interferences which lie in a small angular sector. We also devise a cost-effective adaptive algorithm based on conjugate gradient techniques to update the beamforming weights and a method to obtain estimates of the signal of interest (SOI) steering vector from the spatial power spectrum. The proposed CMR-ISPS beamformer can suppress interferers close to the direction of the SOI by producing notches in the directional response of the array with sufficient depths. Simulation results are provided to confirm the validity of the proposed method and make a comparison to existing approachesComment: 14 pages, 8 figure

High Performance Robust Adaptive Beamforming in the Presence of Array Imperfections

A high performance robust beamforming scheme is proposed to combat model mismatch. Our method lies in the novel construction of interference-plus-noise (IPN) covariance matrix. The IPN covariance matrix consists of two parts. The first part is obtained by utilizing the Capon spectrum estimator integrated over a region separated from the direction of the desired signal and the second part is acquired by removing the desired signal component from the sample covariance matrix. Then a weighted summation of these two parts is utilized to reconstruct the IPN matrix. Moreover, a steering vector estimation method based on orthogonal constraint is also proposed. In this method, the presumed steering vector is corrected via orthogonal constraint under the condition where the estimation does not converge to any of the interference steering vectors. To further improve the proposed method in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a hybrid method is proposed by incorporating the diagonal loading method into the IPN matrix reconstruction. Finally, various simulations are performed to demonstrate that the proposed beamformer provides strong robustness against a variety of array mismatches. The output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) improvement of the beamformer due to the proposed method is significant

Interference-plus-Noise Covariance Matrix Reconstruction via Spatial Power Spectrum Sampling for Robust Adaptive Beamforming

Recently, a robust adaptive beamforming (RAB) technique based on interference-plus-noise covariance (INC) matrix reconstruction has been proposed, which utilizes the Capon spectrum estimator integrated over a region separated from the direction of the desired signal. Inspired by the sampling and reconstruction idea, in this paper, a novel method named spatial power spectrum sampling (SPSS) is proposed to reconstruct the INC matrix more efficiently, with the corresponding beamforming algorithm developed, where the covariance matrix taper (CMT) technique is employed to further improve its performance. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Principles of minimum variance robust adaptive beamforming design

Robustness is typically understood as an ability of adaptive beamforming algorithm to achieve high performance in the situations with imperfect, incomplete, or erroneous knowledge about the source, propagation media, and antenna array. It is also desired to achieve high performance with as little as possible prior information. In the last decade, several fruitful principles to minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) robust adaptive beamforming (RAB) design have been developed and successfully applied to solve a number of problems in a wide range of applications. Such principles of MVDR RAB design are summarized here in a single paper. Prof. Gershman has actively participated in the development and applications of a number of such MVDR RAB design principles

Robust Adaptive Beamforming Using k-means Clustering: A Solution to High Complexity of the Reconstruction-Based Algorithm

Recently, a new robust adaptive beamforming (RAB) algorithm has been proposed to reconstruct the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix (IPNCM) based on narrowing the interference angular domain and using an annular uncertainty set (NIAD-AUS). The method is robust against unknown arbitrary-type mismatches. However, its computational complexity will increase exponentially with the number of array sensors. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to solve this problem. First, k-means clustering (KMC) algorithm is utilized to estimate the annulus uncertainty set with fewer clustering weight points rather than whole sampling. Second, the KMC Capon spectrum is used to reconstruct the IPNCM. Compared with the previous reconstruction-based algorithms, the proposed approach can retain the high performance of the state-of-the-art NIAD-AUS algorithm. More importantly, it can also obtain the IPNCM more quickly. Lastly, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm