Subspace-based localization and inverse scattering of multiply scattering point targets

Abstract

The nonlinear inverse scattering problem of estimating the locations and scattering strengths or reflectivities of a number of small, point-like inhomogeneities (targets) to a known background medium from single-snapshot active wave sensor array data is investigated in connection with time-reversal multiple signal classification and an alternative signal subspace method which is based on search in high-dimensional parameter space and which is found to outperform the time-reversal approach in number of localizable targets and in estimation variance. A noniterative formula for the calculation of the target reflectivities is derived which completes the solution of the nonlinear inverse scattering problem for the general case when there is significant multiple scattering between the targets. The paper includes computer simulations illustrating the theory and methods discussed in the paper.