Nearly Optimal Robust Mean Estimation via Empirical Characteristic Function

Abstract: We propose an estimator for the mean of random variables in separable real Banach spaces using the empirical characteristic function. Assuming that the covariance operator of the random variable is bounded in a precise sense, we show that the proposed estimator achieves the optimal sub-Gaussian rate, except for a faster decaying mean-dependent term. Under a mild condition, an iterative refinement procedure can essentially eliminate the mean-dependent term and provide a shift-equivariant estimate. Our results particularly suggests that a certain Gaussian width that appears in the best known rate in the literature might not be necessary. Furthermore, using the boundedness of the characteristic functions, we also show that, except possibly at high signal-to-noise ratios, the proposed estimator is gracefully robust against adversarial "contamination". Our analysis is overall concise and transparent, thanks to the tractability of the characteristic functions.