Estimation of the number of sources based on the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix

In this paper, we propose a method for estimating the number of sources based on the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of a narrowband array. The proposed method provides the same detection sensitivity as AIC and MDL, but appears to be much more robust to signal and noise model perturbations. Unlike AIC and MDL that do not make use of the procedure used in calibrating the antenna array, the proposed method can use the calibrated antenna responses to take into account the existing nonidealities present in the antenna array, and hence outperforming AIC and MDL methods in practice.