Experimental study of the directional characteristics of a vector-scalar array

We analyze the spatial spectra of a vector-scalar array when the signals are processed using methods with different resolution. The method of presenting the signals used in the research allowed us to apply the previously developed method of detecting and estimating the parameters of signal sources obtained in the calculation of the theoretical characteristics of detecting the signal sources and realization of the algorithms of signal processing. We compared the resolution of vector-scalar and scalar arrays with the same aperture. The experiments were carried out in stationary conditions and in the towing regime. During the towing regime, the accuracy of determination of the source location was controlled using the GPS receivers. It was shown experimentally that the signal to noise ratio at the output of the receiving array is three times greater if the vector-scalar array is used rather than the scalar one. The level of the lateral background appeared to be three times smaller during operation with the vector-scalar array than with the scalar one even in the towing regime. The results of measurements are confirmed by theoretical calculations.