Extracting target-specific characteristics from sonar measurements: Preliminary results using the matrix pencil method

In underwater sonar systems, identifying targets from their signatures is an important, but, yet, open problem. In an earlier document, we had proposed to extract the fundamental modes of a target based on the Matrix Pencil and Cauchy approaches. This report presents the results of a preliminary analysis of PONDEX data sets provided by Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Atlantic. The data set includes the sonar returns from a variety of targets and target-like objects. As our results will show, in our preliminary analysis the Matrix Pencil approach is able to distinguish between two very different kinds of targets. We also discuss more cautionary results using comparisons of similar objects in different settings. However, since this report is written after only a very preliminary investigation, we conclude that there is some promise in the notion of target discrimination and identification using the Matrix Pencil approach.