Phase Retrieval via the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

We derive a phase retrieval algorithm using the alternating direction method of multipliers. For the cost function obtained from the maximum likelihood criterion, we introduce auxiliary amplitude and phase variables to avoid the absolute value operator and decouple the determination of the auxiliary phase variables from that of the auxiliary amplitude variables. As a result, a phase retrieval algorithm consisting only of two least-squares steps is derived. The performance of the proposed algorithm is investigated via numerical examples, as well as an application to flat-spectrum periodic unimodular sequence design.