On resolving two-dimensional sinusoids in white noise using different spectral estimates

Several well-known spectrum estimates are examined in terms of their performance in resolving two closely located sinusoids in white noise. Closed-form expressions for the estimates, using the different approaches and models, are derived and used to study the resolution question. The notions of 3-dB contour and single-peak area (SPA) are introduced and used to compare the different models. The harmonic mean of two single-quadrant linear prediction models is shown to be particularly promising as a high-resolution estimate