High-Resolution Continuous-Scan Beamforming

Abstract

The paper adapts the delay-and-sum beamforming method and related deconvolution techniques for microphone phased arrays comprising fixed and continuously scanning sensors. Processing of the nonstationary signals introduced by the scanning sensors requires division of all the signals into quasi-stationary blocks and application of a frequency-dependent window within each block. Three distinct approaches are developed: application of delay and sum to each block of the divided signals, followed by assembly of the outputs of the blocks; a cross-spectral matrix completion process; and a partial fields decomposition method. The last two approaches result in a unified cross-spectral matrix that facilitates deconvolution of the array output. The methodologies are applied to a synthetic noise source and to a supersonic underexpanded jet that presented the phenomenon of screech. Introduction of a single scanning sensor to a far-field array comprising 13 fixed sensors significantly improves the fidelity of beamforming. The deconvolved images of the jet noise source resolve fine shock-cell features for which the dimensions are similar to those imaged by optical techniques in past investigations.