Optimized Sonar Broadband Focused Beamforming Algorithm

Biases of initial direction estimation and focusing frequency selection affect the final focusing effect and may even cause algorithm failure in determining the focusing matrix in the coherent signal–subspace method. An optimized sonar broadband focused beamforming algorithm is proposed to address these defects. Initially, the robust Capon beamforming algorithm was used to correct the focusing matrix, and the broadband signals were then focused on the optimal focusing frequency by the corrected focusing matrix such that the wideband beamforming was transformed into a narrowband problem. Finally, the focused narrowband signals were beamformed by the second-order cone programming algorithm. Computer simulation results and water pool experiments verified that the proposed algorithm provides a good performance.