Title:  Theoretical Performance Bounds for the Estimation of Target Parameters in Electromagnetic Induction Data

Committee:

Dr. James McClellan, ECE, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Waymond Scott, ECE, Co-Advisor

Dr. Aaron Lanterman, ECE

Dr. Gregory Durgin, ECE

Dr. Morris Cohen, ECE

Dr. Yao Xie, ISyE

Abstract:

The objective of this research is to derive and analyze the theoretical performance bounds for the variance of any unbiased estimator (i.e. Cramer-Rao lower bounds) of the target parameters given a set of electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements of a target. These parameters include the target's location, tensors, as well as relaxation frequencies. The goal is to provide a framework for assessing the performance of current and future EMI systems and to generate a benchmark for current estimation techniques of these parameters. The framework and corresponding analysis will provide a better understanding of the factors that influence these bounds, giving researchers additional insight to develop better EMI systems and estimators.