Split array of antenna sensors and matrix pencil method for azimuth and elevation angles estimation

Abstract

In this study, the authors introduce a two-dimensional direction-of-arrival matrix pencil (MP) method with split array to reduce the computational complexity. This approach is based on an array composed by two perpendicular sub-arrays, the vertical uniform linear array located perpendicularly at the centre of uniform circular array (UCA) in the horizontal plane. The vertical array is used to determine the elevation angles, which are used subsequently to determine the azimuth angles by the circular array instead of searching in all space of two angles. Unlike common planar and circular arrays, this array requires no pair matching between the azimuth and elevation angle estimation. The authors show that when applying phase mode excitation-based beamforming to a UCA they are able to apply MP algorithm to the beamspace data using one single snapshot. Moreover by exploiting the centro-Hermitian feature of the data matrix, the authors propose a new version of MP method denoted MP extended method. This new version uses a data extended matrix to reduce the noise effect which improves the robustness of the MP method. The obtained results show that the split array reduces significantly the computational complexity and that the 2D MP extended method provides better performance.