Predicting the array gain of partially coherent planar HF arrays

This paper concerns estimating the partially coherent signal gain of a large, fully-populated planar HF phasedarray using simulated data from a few widely distributed receive elements. Our approach involves estimating magnitude-squared coherence between sensor elements in order to estimate parameters of a 2-D exponential model for signal decoherence, which, in turn, is used to predict array gain. Via cross-validation, this approach is shown to correctly predict the array gain observed in simulated data using well-established models for ionospheric perturbations. Finally, it is used to predict the signal gains achievable for large fully-populated planar HF arrays.