Line-array beamforming using linear prediction for aperture interpolation and extrapolation

It is demonstrated that linear prediction can be successfully utilized in conjunction with otherwise conventional narrow-band line-array beamforming for aperture extrapolation (APEX), where there are significant SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and resolution advantages compared to the conventional approach, aperture interpolation, where faulty sensor data are replaced, and a combined technique (ALPINEX). The performance of all three methods is investigated in connection with both simulated and real data. The APEX technique is shown to be amenable to a simple theoretical treatment. Further, the approach is demonstrated to offer a practical performance comparable to the well-known high-resolution technique, MUSIC, when the observation time is short.<>