Single snapshot spatial processing: optimized and constrained

We introduce spatial processing: optimized and constrained (SPOC). It is a new front-end display processing method that operates on array sensor data as an alternative to conventional or adaptive beamforming. The output of our approach is computed on a single-snapshot basis so that no stationarity assumptions are required. We use a maximum a posteriori approach to develop a constrained optimization solution. A parametric representation provides the framework for the presented solution. Some degrees of freedom are fixed by the constraint, and the rest remain free to optimize the cost function. We develop an iterative solution in terms of the free parameters. This method provides significantly improved resolution over conventional beamforming. Two simulated cases demonstrate algorithm performance.