Nested planar array: configuration design, optimal array and DOA estimation

Abstract

ABSTRACTNested array enables to enhance localisation resolution and achieve under-determined direction of arrival (DOA) estimation. In this paper, we improve the traditional nested planar array to achieve more degrees of freedom (DOFs) and better angle estimation performance. The closed-form expressions for sensor positions of the improved array are given and the optimal array configuration for largest available DOFs is derived. Meanwhile, a computationally efficient DOA estimation algorithm is proposed. Specifically, we utilise two dimensional Discrete Fourier Transform (2D DFT) method to obtain the coarse DOA estimates; Subsequently, we achieve the fine DOA estimates by 2D spatial smoothing multiple signals classification (SS-MUSIC) algorithm. The proposed algorithm enjoys the same estimation accuracy as SS-MUSIC algorithm but with lower complexity because the coarse DOA estimates enable to shrink the range of spectral search. In addition, estimation of the number of signals is not required by 2D DFT method. Extensive simulation results testify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.