Spectral analysis of the swell using the reassigned Wigner-Ville representation

Three methods of image spectral analysis are reviewed. The aim is to detect and characterize periodical physical phenomena on the ocean surface, such as swell or internal waves (solitons). These phenomena are non-stationary, especially near the coast, so that spectral analysis tools robust in non-stationary situations are of interest. The three methods that are under investigation are the autoregressive method, the smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville representation and its reassigned representation. Advantages and drawbacks are balanced.