A high resolution random linear sonar array based MUSIC method for underwater DOA estimation

In existing sonar signal processing techniques, linear arrays are generally used which sampled at Nyquist rate that demands the inter-element spacing is less than or equal to half of the system wavelength. Otherwise, ambiguous bearing angles will generate in conventional DOA (direction of arrival) estimation methods, such as MUSIC, Capon algorithm. This fact restricts the array aperture, so as to the resolution of targets parameters in estimation. In this paper, a kind of random linear sonar array is designed which breakthrough the Nyquist sampling rate restriction and expand the sonar array with no additional sensor elements, and then the MUSIC algorithm is used to DOA estimation. Simulation are made under low signal SNR and multi centralized target sources, results show that, with the new designed sonar array, the resolution is extremely improved contrast with conventional designed array.