Generalization of GLRT-based magnetic anomaly detection

Magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) refers to a passive method used to reveal hidden magnetic masses and is most commonly based on a dipolar target model. This paper proposes a generalization of the MAD through a multipolar model that provides a more precise description of the anomaly and serves a twofold objective: to improve the detection performance, and to widen the variety of detectable targets. The dipole detection strategy - namely an orthonormal decomposition of the anomaly followed by a generalized likelihood ratio test - is hence revisited in the multipolar case. The performance are assessed analytically and the relevance of this generalization is demonstrated on multipolar scenarios.