An algorithm for the Wigner distribution based instantaneous frequency estimation in a high noise environment

Estimation of the instantaneous frequency (IF) in a high noise environment, by using the Wigner distribution (WD), is considered. In this case the error is of impulse nature. An algorithm for the IF estimation, which combines the nonparametric method based on the WD maxima with the minimization of the IF variations between consecutive points, is proposed. The off-line and on-line realizations are presented. The on-line realization is an instance of the (generalized) Viterbi algorithm. Application of this algorithm on the monocomponent and multicomponent frequency modulated signals is demonstrated. For multicomponent signals, the algorithm is applied on other (reduced interference) distributions. Numerical examples, including statistical study of the algorithm performance, are given. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.