A space-time covariance function for spatio-temporal random processes and spatio-temporal prediction (kriging)

Abstract

We consider a stationary spatio-temporal random process and assume that we have a sample. By defining a sequence of discrete Fourier transforms at canonical frequencies at each location, and using these complex valued random varables as observed sample, we obtain expressions for the spatio-temporal covariance functions and the spectral density functions of the spatio-temporal random processes. These spectra correspond to non separable class of random processes. The spatio-temporal covariance functions, obtained here are functions of the spatial distance and the temporal frequency and are similar to Matern class. These are in terms of modified Bessel functions of the second kind. and the parameters are in terms of the second order spectral density functions of the random proces and the spatial distances. We consider the estimation of the parameters of the covariance function and also briefly mention their asymptotic properties. The estimation of the entire data at a known location, and also the estimation of a value given the above sample is also considered. The predictors are obtained using the vectors of Discrete Fourier Transforms. We also describe a statistical test for testing the independence of the m spatial time series (testing for spatial independence) using the Finite Fourier Transforms and it is based on the likelihood ratio test of complex valued random variables The methods are illustrated with real data. Keywords: Discrete Fourier Transforms, Covariance functions, Spectral density functions, Space-Time Processses, Prediction(kriging) Laplacian operators, Frequency Variogram, Tests for independence, Whittle likelihood.