A method for modal loss factor estimation based on Gauss-Newton iteration

A new approach based on Gauss-Newton iteration is proposed to estimate modal damping. Noise resistance of the proposed method and half-power bandwidth method are analyzed and compared by plenty of simulations with different signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The proposed method is more accurate and stable than half-power bandwidth method in all SNRs, especially when the noise level is high. If SNR ≤ 30 dB, the proposed method should be used for damping estimation instead of half-power bandwidth method. A damping estimation experiment is carried out with both methods, and the results indicate and verify that there is smaller variability for the proposed method.