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Bearing estimation with acoustic vector-sensor arrays

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.50350· OSTI ID:288400
;  [1]
  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511 (United States)
We consider direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation using arrays of acoustic vector sensors in free space, and derive expressions for the Cram{acute e}r-Rao bound on the DOA parameters when there is a single source. The vector-sensor array is seen to have improved performance over the traditional scalar-sensor (pressure-sensor) array for two distinct reasons: its elements have an inherent directional sensitivity and the array makes a greater number of measurements. The improvement is greatest for small array apertures and low signal-to-noise ratios. Examination of the conventional beamforming and Capon DOA estimators shows that vector-sensor arrays can completely resolve the bearing, even with a linear array, and can remove the ambiguities associated with spatial undersampling. We also propose and analyze a diversely-oriented array of velocity sensors that possesses some of the advantages of the vector-sensor array without the increase in hardware and computation. In addition, in certain scenarios it can avoid problems with spatially correlated noise that the vector-sensor array may suffer. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}
OSTI ID:
288400
Report Number(s):
CONF-9509298--
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 368; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English