Application of a Virtual Magnetic Dipoles in Antenna Array to Increase the Direction Finding Accuracy

Abstract

The article discusses the method of forming a virtual antenna array based on magnetic dipoles. To test the effectiveness of the formation of a virtual antenna array, a simulation of an unmanned aerial vehicle with a directionfinding complex of four vector antenna elements was carried out. To perform direction finding, two methods are considered ‒ based on the electric field and magnetic. On the basis of the study, it was found that the use of direction finding based on magnetic dipoles can significantly improve the stability and accuracy of the bearing for both linear and elliptical electromagnetic waves. The article presents the main mathematical expressions that are used to determine the characteristics of the direction finding, as well as the dependence of the bearings in the studied frequency range.