Source power estimation in linear arrays

The problem of estimating the powers of uncorrelated directional sources by using a linear array of sensors is investigated. From assuming the source directions to be known, so that the problem becomes mathematically tractable, an unbiased estimator for the source powers is derived. Its performance is then analyzed in depth, especially in a 2-source scenario, and extensively studied using simulation results, some of which obtained when the source directions are first estimated by standard eigenstructure techniques. It is found that since standard eigenstructure algorithms will give rise to direction estimates which are more accurate than the power estimates when the sources are well separated, the source power estimator derived will in general function well. Its performance will be close to that obtained assuming known source directions, even though the latter may actually have to be found using these techniques.