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Sensor array beamforming using random channel sampling: the aggregate beamformer
1Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada. david.havelock@nrc.ca
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|November 1, 2003
Summary
The aggregate beamformer (AGG) offers cost savings and improved performance by collecting data randomly. This method converts unwanted signals into noise, simplifying filtering and enhancing directional capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Signal Processing
- Array Signal Processing
- Digital Beamforming
Background:
- Conventional beamformers are complex and costly.
- Existing methods require simultaneous or sequential data collection.
- Hardware and software complexity are significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce the aggregate beamformer (AGG) concept.
- Demonstrate cost and complexity savings of AGG.
- Showcase equivalent or improved directional performance.
Main Methods:
- Collecting array channel data in a random sequence.
- Converting off-beam signals into wideband noise for filtering.
- Utilizing total sampling rate for noise and bandwidth control.
Main Results:
- Significant savings in hardware and software costs.
- Equivalent directional performance compared to conventional beamformers.
- Improved beamformer delay quantization and steering resolution.
- Reduced need for analog anti-alias filters and data interpolation.
Conclusions:
- The AGG beamformer offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative.
- Low front-end hardware complexity suits highly integrated systems.
- Array sensor count can be modified without system reconfiguration.