An adaptive beamforming algorithm for underwater acoustic signal based on α-stable distribution

A new adaptive beamforming algorithm for underwater acoustic signals is proposed. Considering underwater acoustic signals obey symmetric α-stable distribution (SαS), the algorithm firstly defines zero-order array response and then develops a zero order minimum variance distortionless response (ZMVDR) beamformer, based on the conventional minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer. Analyze of trial data shows that the ZMVDR beamformer has comparative performance in comparison with the fractional lower order minimum variance distortionless response (FrMVDR) beamformer without the value of a, and superior performance in comparison with the MVDR beamformer. Hence the proposed beamformer is a robust one.