Effect of random weight errors on the performance of partially adaptive array beamformers

Abstract This paper analyzes the effect of random weight errors on the performance of array beamformers with partial adaptivity. Based on the structure of the generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC), three different beamformers, namely, element space, eigenspace, and beam space partially adaptive beamformers are considered. Theoretical formulas representing the beamformer's performance sensitivity to random errors of the adaptive weights are derived. These formulas show that the performance sensitivity to the random weight errors increases as the number of the adaptive weight increases in each case of the three different beamformers. Furthermore, we find that the choice of the signal blocking matrix required in the GSC structure also affects the performance of the array beamformers in the presence of random weight errors. Computer simulations confirming the theoretical analyses are provided.