On parameters of the QML PPS estimator

•Parameters of recently proposed QML algorithm for polynomial phase signals parameters estimation are studied.•Recommendations for setting window set used in the STFT in the rough stage of the algorithm are given.•Also, length of the moving average filter and downsampling factor for refinement procedure.

Study of user-defined parameters of the recently proposed quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) estimator, a powerful technique for the polynomial phase signal (PPS) estimation, is performed. Three design parameters of the algorithm are studied: set of STFT windows used in the rough estimation stage, width of the moving average filter and downsampling factor from the refinement stage. Based on the obtained results, appropriate recommendations are given that can help researchers in setting the QML technique.