The Generalized Spectral Kurtosis Estimator

TL;DR

This paper introduces a generalized spectral kurtosis estimator that can be applied to both instantaneous and averaged spectral data, enhancing RFI detection capabilities across various radio astronomy instruments.

Contribution

It develops a new generalized estimator extending the spectral kurtosis method to averaged spectral data, broadening its practical application.

Findings

Applicable to both instantaneous and averaged spectral data

Enhances real-time RFI detection in radio astronomy

Broadens the usability of spectral kurtosis estimator

Abstract

Due to its conceptual simplicity and its proven effectiveness in real-time detection and removal of radio frequency interference (RFI) from radio astronomy data, the Spectral Kurtosis (SK) estimator is likely to become a standard tool of a new generation of radio telescopes. However, the SK estimator in its original form must be developed from instantaneous power spectral density (PSD) estimates, and hence cannot be employed as an RFI excision tool downstream of the data pipeline in existing instruments where any time averaging is performed. In this letter, we develop a generalized estimator with wider applicability for both instantaneous and averaged spectral data, which extends its practical use to a much larger pool of radio instruments.