Thresholds in combined detection and source motion estimation

Estimating both the presence and the angle-of-arrival history of a broadband source at an array-of-hydrophones is an important problem in underwater acoustics. Optimal detection and estimation can be combined using a conventional Eckart filter and fixed beamformer, followed by a parallel bank of motion-hypothesis testing matched filters. The number of motion hypotheses required depends on the amount of apriori source motion uncertainty. This paper presents theoretical and empirical results which quantify optimal performance as a function of apriori motion uncertainty, including threshold losses. In general, combined detection and estimation performance improves as the apriori uncertainty in source motion is reduced.