Optimization of conventional beamformer shading weights for conformal velocity sonar

A numerical optimization technique that uses sonar array noise measurements is used to determine conventional shading weights that maximize the broadband deflection coefficient at the output of the optimal square-law detector, across a frequency band of interest. This process maintains the structure of the conventional processor while providing performance improvement typical of adaptive techniques. The performance of the optimized time domain delay-and-sum beamformer is compared with that of the traditional beamformer that uses conventionally chosen shading weights. Application of this method to conformal velocity sonar array data is shown to provide large improvements in performance over heuristic designs.