  The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a Monte Carlo based implementation of
the Kalman filter (KF) for extremely high-dimensional, possibly nonlinear and
non-Gaussian state estimation problems. Its ability to handle state dimensions
in the order of millions has made the EnKF a popular algorithm in different
geoscientific disciplines. Despite a similarly vital need for scalable
algorithms in signal processing, e.g., to make sense of the ever increasing
amount of sensor data, the EnKF is hardly discussed in our field.
  This self-contained review paper is aimed at signal processing researchers
and provides all the knowledge to get started with the EnKF. The algorithm is
derived in a KF framework, without the often encountered geoscientific
terminology. Algorithmic challenges and required extensions of the EnKF are
provided, as well as relations to sigma-point KF and particle filters. The
relevant EnKF literature is summarized in an extensive survey and unique
simulation examples, including popular benchmark problems, complement the
theory with practical insights. The signal processing perspective highlights
new directions of research and facilitates the exchange of potentially
beneficial ideas, both for the EnKF and high-dimensional nonlinear and
non-Gaussian filtering in general.
