A robust adaptive matched field processor based upon a minmax criterion

An algorithm has been developed for determining the array weights for a linear weight-and-sum beamformer which yield the best worst-case performance over an expected range of characteristics of the propagation medium. An estimate of the average power of a desired signal contained within the received signal is generated using the output of the beamformer. Using minmax approximation techniques, the algorithm jointly calculates the optimal array weights and estimates the average signal power. Minmax techniques are used to achieve the effective sidelobe suppression and the good spatial resolution of adaptive matched field processors without the sensitivity to environmental mismatch which plagues many existing adaptive matched field processors