Combining clustering techniques and information theoretic criteria based approach for emitter number detection in ESM applications

We propose an approach for detecting the number of emitters from a set of interleaved pulse trains intercepted by an electronic support measures (ESM) receiver. The approach combines the use of the clustering techniques with the application of the information theoretic criteria. It can overcome the difficulties associated with the information theoretic criteria based approach and handle large number of pulses and unknown noise variance problems. Computer simulations are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.