A robust W-MUSIC algorithm for GPR target detection in the presence of noise

When applied to ground penetrating radar (GPR), the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm is an important frequency estimation method as it can detect very closely spaced targets, particularly when one of the target responses is substantially lower than another. The MUSIC algorithm however must be seeded with the number of targets to find and will indicate that number of targets regardless of the number of targets actually present. In the presence of relatively low levels of noise the MUSIC algorithm is prone to reporting the position of false targets in preference to weaker genuine target responses. In this paper a superimposed MUSIC technique is proposed to suppress false targets. A novel windowed FFT MUSIC (W-MUSIC) algorithm is examined using a linear sweep frequency in noise. It is seen to give a clear indication of targets in the presence of modest noise that prevents MUSIC from working.