Multiple Antenna Array Signal Collecting and Processing

This paper analyzes an optimal data co l lection and processing system for detecting a random signal f ield in a random noise f ield employing multiple antennas. The statist ical model consists of a Gaussian random signal f ield and an independent Gaussian noise f i e ld . The time optimal data processing system to be analyzed is specified in terms of array deployment and signal/noise space time correlation structure. An exact expression for the characteristic function of the test statistic computed by the space-time signal processor is derived under the assumptions of stationarity and a long observation t ime. Analytical dif f icult ies involved in evaluating and inverse transforming the characteristic function are considered through case studies. The test statistic is analytical ly shown to reduce to a Gaussian random variable in the threshold case for the array situation. The dependence of receiver performance on the spacetime correlation structure of the signal and noise f ie lds , the antenna deployment, and the optimal performance criteria (outage rate, pre-detection signal-to-noise rat io, etc.) is considered. Opt i mal antenna deployment is considered, for the threshold case, in terms of several physically real ist ic signal and noise field space-time correlation structure models.