MVDR Algorithm Based on Loading Factor and Sample Selection Strategy

Abstract

The MVDR (Minimum Variance Distortionless Response) algorithm is a classic Wiener filtering method used for beamforming in array signal processing. In a one-dimensional linear array high-frequency ground wave radar system, it can be employed to suppress various types of ionospheric clutter. A key step in suppression is the use of maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to estimate the ionospheric clutter covariance matrix. However, MLE typically assumes that samples are independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.). Traditional MVDR algorithms estimate the clutter covariance matrix using all samples, which may not satisfy the i.i.d. condition. Therefore, this paper proposes a new sample selection strategy that utilizes the Mahalanobis distance method to select samples. Meanwhile, due to the very small numerical values of the ionospheric clutter covariance matrix, even if the matrix is full-rank, numerical instability may occur during inversion. To address this issue, the paper introduces 4 different forms of regularization factors. Empirical data demonstrate that the proposed new method offers better suppression of ionospheric clutter compared to the traditional MVDR algorithm.