Instrumental variable approach to array processing in spatially correlated noise fields

High-performance signal parameter estimation from sensor array data is a problem which has received much attention. A number of so-called eigenvector (EV) techniques such as MUSIC, ESPRIT, WSF, and MODE have been proposed in the literature. The EV techniques for array processing require knowledge of the spatial noise correlation matrix that constitutes a significant drawback. A novel instrumental variable (IV) approach to the sensor array problem is proposed. The IV technique relies on the same basic geometric properties as the EV methods to obtain parameter estimates. However, by exploiting the temporal correlation of the source signals, no knowledge of the spatial noise covariance is required. The asymptotic properties of the IV estimator are examined and an optimal IV method is derived. Computer simulations are presented to study the properties of the IV estimators in samples of practical length. The proposed algorithm is also shown to perform better than MUSIC on a full-scale passive sonar experiment