Ambiguity resolving algorithm for interferometers of arbitray topologies

摘要

An apparatus for reducing the computational requirements for resolving ambiguity in interferometer measurements where the interferometer elements are arranged arbitrarily. Each of a plurality of interferometer elements each measures the phase of the incoming electromagnetic signal. The interferometer elements are each separated by lengths defined as baselines, which are sorted and processed in ascending order. Following initialization, for each baseline (92, 108), the phase measurements of the next baseline (92, 108) to be processed are estimated. If the measured phases (94-100, 110-118) of the next baseline (92, 108) falls within a predetermined range (104, 106) of the estimated phases, the phase is retained for estimating the phases of the next baseline. After a sufficient number of baselines have been processed, the angle of the incoming electromagnetic signal may be determined in accordance with the retained phases.