A robust incoherent matched field processor for source localization in uncertain multipath fields

Matched-field source localization methods are seriously degraded because of errors in modeling the propagation characteristics of the ocean channel. A generalized minimum-variance distortionless-response (MVDR) method that is more robust to model mismatch caused by uncertain multipath propagation conditions is presented. Whereas the conventional matched-field MVDR method involves a minimization constrained by unity gain for a coherent sum of multipath arrivals, the proposed incoherent approach performs this minimization subject to unity gain in each of the multipath arrival directions. The incoherent method is thus robust to uncertainty in the phase differences between multipath arrivals