The figure of merit “C” for comparing superresolution direction-finding algorithms

In this paper, the parameter C is introduced as a figure of merit for comparing the performances of practical direction-finding (DF) algorithms in terms of their superresolution capabilities. C takes values between 0 and 1, with higher values indicating better resolving capability and C = 1 denotes an algorithm with the theoretically ideal resolution performance. Analytical expressions for C can be derived for a number of DF algorithms. In this paper, three such expressions are derived for MUSIC, optimal´ Beamspace MUSIC and Minimum Norm. It is found that optimal beamspace MUSIC yields the smallest resolution separation, which can approach the ideal when incident signals have equal powers.