VHF antenna array processing: high accuracy direction finding and performance evaluation with real data

Abstract

The authors present a description of practical data processing techniques that have been used for direction finding (DF) with a real array. The measured data were collected using a DF trial 'test-bed', which was developed at DREO and is based on digital beamforming (DBF) technology. The system transmitters are used to simulate a complex signal environment and can be operated at a continuum of frequencies in the VHF band. The authors present the technique used to generate Q channel signals based on I channel measurements, signal modelling, array error calibration, multiple snapshot spatiotemporal estimation, and performance evaluation for a number of direction finding techniques. Direction finding results for a wideband radio source are included.