Multiple target detection - optimum resolution

A new method of estimating the directions and powers of multiple targets from array data is described and illustrated. Target directions are first determined using the energy distribution of the covariance-matrix eigensystem, and their corresponding powers are then determined using the maximum likelihood method, which are also used to eliminate spurious targets. System performance is evaluated by comparison with the corresponding results obtained by exercising previous estimators under the same conditions: those of Capon, Schmidt, and Johnson and DeGraaf.