Exploiting Covariance Structure for Signal Detection in Array Processing

Array processing involves utilizing multiple sensors (e.g., antennas) to collect data from a spatial environment. The primary objective is to extract the desired signal from a mixture of noise and interference. Several techniques exist for signal detection, including beamforming, matched filtering, and likelihood ratio tests. These methods typically rely on assumptions about the signal and noise characteristics. However, real-world environments often violate these assumptions. Noise may not be purely white (uncorrelated) and can exhibit spatial coherence. Additionally, interference might be structured and non-stationary. Here’s where exploiting the covariance structure of the received data becomes advantageous.