Direction Of Arrival Estimation Research Articles

Augmented correlation matrix reconstruction for direction of arrival estimation using dual-spread array

Due to the large degrees of freedom (DOF) by generating difference coarray, nonuniform arrays have great potential in direction of arrival (DOA) estimation. However, some existing nonuniform arrays (e.g., (sparse) nested arrays) still have comparatively strong mutual coupling in physical array domain, whereas the others (e.g., coprime arrays) have holes or only used part available in difference coarray domain, for the performance loss of DOA estimation. To address these issues, we propose two kinds of dual-spread arrays which achieve more and continuous DOF by exploiting correlation matrix reconstruction, rather than the generation of difference coarray. All inter-antenna spacings of the proposed arrays are larger than half-wavelength, resulting in extended aperture and reduced mutual coupling. An ESPRIT-based estimation method is further provided for unique DOA estimation with high-accuracy and low-complexity. The analyses of mutual coupling and computational complexity are provided in detailed. The theoretical analyses and simulation results show the superiority of the proposed arrays and method over the existing techniques.

An improved histogram algorithm for DOA estimation based on single vector acoustic system

The integration of a singular vector acoustic system onto an unmanned underwater platform can lead to achieving unambiguous direction finding across the entire space. To enhance the direction-finding capabilities of the single vector acoustic system for low noise target, a refined histogram algorithm utilizing coherent spectrum weighting is suggested. A comparative evaluation and analysis of the target azimuth estimation performance of the enhanced histogram algorithm, traditional frequency-weighted histogram algorithm, and energy-weighted histogram algorithm are carried out. Through computer simulations, it is observed that the three Direction of Arrival (DOA) algorithms exhibit comparable direction-finding capabilities for wideband signals, whereas for single-frequency signals, the improved histogram algorithm surpasses the two conventional algorithms in direction-finding accuracy. Specifically, at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of −40 dB, the azimuth estimation root mean square error (RMSE) is approximately 2°. Findings from sea trials indicate that the improved histogram algorithm displays a narrower spectral peak width and robust resistance to noise interference, thereby substantiating the effectiveness of the enhanced histogram algorithm.

High-resolution direction-finding algorithm using Qth−order cumulants tensor: Q−TMUSIC

To resolve more sources than sensors, the 2q−MUSIC algorithm has been developed recently by rearranging the 2qth−order circular cumulants tensor into a suitable size matrix. However, in 2q−MUSIC, the angular resolution and estimation accuracy have not attained their optimum values due to the loss of differential information by matricizing the cumulants tensor. This paper proposes a subspace-based MUSIC-like algorithm, namely Qth−order cumulants-based tensor MUSIC algorithm for the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of statistically independent non-Gaussian sources by exploiting the Qth−order cumulants tensors, Q∈{3,4,5,⋯}, directly using multilinear algebra tools. The proposed algorithm offers an improved DOA estimation performance in terms of angular resolution and estimation accuracy compared to their equivalent matrix-based Q−MUSIC. Moreover, the computational complexity of the proposed Q-TMUSIC is lesser than that of their equivalent matrix-based Q−MUSIC for Q>4. However, the proposed Q−TMUSIC can identify atmost (M−1) sources using an array of M−sensors than that of (M⌊Q2⌋−1) with their equivalent matrix based Q−MUSIC.

A high-resolution DOA estimation via random forest virtual array extension

In sonar detection, underwater recognition, and similar fields, the challenge of using small-scale arrays is frequently encountered. With small-scale arrays, the degrees of freedom (DOFs) and accuracy of direction of arrival (DOA) estimation decrease significantly. Moreover, existing algorithms are less robust in complex environments and typically require substantial computing resources to ensure accurate estimation. To overcome these problems, this paper proposes a high-resolution DOA estimation via Random Forest virtual array extension (RFVAE). The algorithm first trains the random forest (RF) network using real array element data, and thus proposes a virtual covariance reconstruction technique. This technique allows for a substantial increase in the number of virtual array elements. Then, based on the virtual covariance reconstruction technique, a high resolution estimation network technique is proposed, which can increase the accuracy and DOFs of DOA estimation. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm reduces error by 30% to 80% compared to recent technologies and can provide up to twice as many virtual elements. Additionally, the estimation speed can be increased by 3 to 1000 times, and it has significantly stronger robustness, functioning normally at signal-to-noise ratios 10 dB lower than the conditions under which other algorithms fail.

DOA Estimation on One-Bit Quantization Observations through Noise-Boosted Multiple Signal Classification.

Due to the low-complexity implementation, direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation-based one-bit quantized data are of interest, but also, signal processing struggles to obtain the demanded estimation accuracy. In this study, we injected a number of noise components into the receiving data before the uniform linear array (ULA) composed of one-bit quantizers. Then, based on this designed noise-boosted quantizer unit (NBQU), we propose an efficient one-bit multiple signal classification (MUSIC) method for estimating the DOA. Benefiting from the injected noise, the numerical results show that the proposed NBQU-based MUSIC method outperforms existing one-bit MUSIC methods in terms of estimation accuracy and resolution. Furthermore, with the optimal root mean square (RMS) of the injected noise, the estimation accuracy of the proposed method for estimating DOA can approach that of the MUSIC method based on the complete analog data.

Electromagnetic informed data model considerations for near-field DOA and range estimates

Localizing sources in the near-field is one of the emerging challenges for array signal processing, which has received a great deal of attention in recent years. The development of accurate localization algorithms requires the definition of a reliable model of the received signal that takes into account all wavefront characteristics, such as angle, range, and polarization, as well as electromagnetic effects, such as mutual coupling between antennas and the amplitude and phase behaviour of electromagnetic wavefronts. A system model that considers the electromagnetic-informed wave behaviour effects, independent of the type of receiver antennas, array structure, degree of correlation of sources signals and other electromagnetic effects, is considered an “ exact model ” in the literature. However, due to the mathematical complexity of this modeling approach, simplifications using several approximations are conventionally used. For instance, the phase of the exact model is approximated using the Fresnel approximation, while the magnitude of the exact model is simplified by assuming equal distances between the source and all elements in the array. In this work, we evaluate the accuracy of a localization algorithm, the multiple signal classification (MUSIC), using the exact and approximated models in the near-field region. Through a series of simulations, we demonstrate that the localization algorithm designed based on the electromagnetic-informed exact model outperforms the one designed using the approximated model. We also show that considering electromagnetic factors in the system model through the exact model results in a 13% improvement in the direction of arrival (DOA) root mean square error (RMSE) and a 57.7% improvement in range RMSE at signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 15 dB.

DOA method based on CSI and improved neural network

Abstract In wireless communication systems, accurate estimation of signal direction has always been a key research area. Channel State Information (CSI) is an important parameter that can be used to estimate the Direction of Arrival (DOA) of a signal. In order to improve the accuracy and robustness of DOA estimation, this study aims to explore a DOA estimation method based on CSI and improved neural networks. Firstly, the role of CSI in localization technology and related theories are detailed. Subsequently, the application of neural network-based fingerprint matching algorithms, including BP neural networks, Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), and chaotic mapping techniques, is analyzed. In light of this, an improved BP neural network integrating chaotic mapping and adaptive weighting is proposed to improve the positioning accuracy and convergence rate of the algorithm. Finally, through the collection and training of experimental data, an algorithm proposed in this article achieves a test set accuracy of 96.4286% and a training set accuracy of 82.7243%. The better training effect is obtained, which verifies the efficacy and superiority of the proposed approach.

2-D DOA Estimation of Coherent Signals Using the Dual-Size Spreading Array

Abstract We introduce a novel approach for high-precision estimation of two-dimensional (2-D) Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) under conditions of coherent interference. This study innovatively devises an antenna configuration, termed the Dual-Size Spreading Array, specifically tailored to estimate DOAs in such environments. The method involves integrating a subarray with the primary array to create a Dual-Size Extended Array structure. This integration allows for a transformation of the covariance matrix into a new form, where its rank solely depends on the number of impinging waves. Both the subarray and primary array must have a scale no less than the number of incoming wavefronts. This proposed technique not only amplifies the effective aperture but also significantly reduces the computational intricacy associated with DOA estimation procedures. The efficacy of our methodology has been substantiated through simulation results, which demonstrate that it outperforms the conventional spatial smoothing techniques. Moreover, we provide several practical guidelines designed to enhance estimation accuracy while concurrently minimizing computational demands. In summary, this research presents an advanced solution that effectively addresses challenges in 2D DOA estimation under coherent scenarios, achieving improved performance and computational efficiency compared to existing methods.

Adaptive Joint Carrier and DOA Estimations of FHSS Signals Based on Knowledge-Enhanced Compressed Measurements and Deep Learning.

As one of the most widely used spread spectrum techniques, the frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) has been widely adopted in both civilian and military secure communications. In this technique, the carrier frequency of the signal hops pseudo-randomly over a large range, compared to the baseband. To capture an FHSS signal, conventional non-cooperative receivers without knowledge of the carrier have to operate at a high sampling rate covering the entire FHSS hopping range, according to the Nyquist sampling theorem. In this paper, we propose an adaptive compressed method for joint carrier and direction of arrival (DOA) estimations of FHSS signals, enabling subsequent non-cooperative processing. The compressed measurement kernels (i.e., non-zero entries in the sensing matrix) have been adaptively designed based on the posterior knowledge of the signal and task-specific information optimization. Moreover, a deep neural network has been designed to ensure the efficiency of the measurement kernel design process. Finally, the signal carrier and DOA are estimated based on the measurement data. Through simulations, the performance of the adaptively designed measurement kernels is proved to be improved over the random measurement kernels. In addition, the proposed method is shown to outperform the compressed methods in the literature.

A Novel DOA Estimation Algorithm Based on Robust Mixed Fractional Lower-Order Correntropy in Impulsive Noise

The estimation of direction of arrival (DOA) is paramount in the realm of practical array signal processing systems. Nevertheless, traditional estimation methods often rely heavily on the Gaussian noise assumption, rendering them ineffective in achieving high-precision estimates in environments plagued by strong impulsive noise. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a novel DOA estimation algorithm that leverages mixed fractional lower-order correntropy (MFLOCR) in the context of Alpha-stable distributed impulsive noise. Correntropy is used as a measure of the similarity of the signals, using a Gaussian function to smooth extreme values and provide greater robustness against impulsive noise. By utilizing diverse kernel lengths to jointly regulate the kernel function, the concept of correntropy is expanded and implemented in the fractional lower-order moment (FLOM) algorithm for received signals. Subsequently, the MFLOCR is derived by adjusting the resulting form of correntropy. Finally, an enhanced DOA estimation algorithm is proposed that combines the MFLOCR operator with the MUSIC algorithm, specifically tailored for impulsive noise environments. Furthermore, a proof of boundedness is provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in such noisy conditions. Simulation experiments confirmed that the proposed method outperforms existing DOA estimation methods in the context of intense impulsive noise, a low generalized signal-to-noise ratio (GSNR), and a smaller number of snapshots.

A Novel Generalized Nested Array MIMO Radar for DOA Estimation with Increased Degrees of Freedom and Low Mutual Coupling.

In array signal processing, the mutual coupling among physical sensors can inevitably affect the estimation of the direction of arrival (DOA). Despite the fact that multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) radar can provide greater degrees of freedom (DOFs), the influence of mutual coupling is largely overlooked in many current MIMO radar designs. To tackle this issue, we propose the utilization of a generalized nested array (GNA) in transmitter array and we introduce an expansion factor into the nested array in the receiver array. Thereby, a novel GNA-MIMO radar is put forward. The proposed MIMO radar offers O(N4) consecutive DOFs with N sensors and avoids the adverse effects of high mutual coupling caused by closely located sensors. Furthermore, we derive the closed-form expressions for the position of physical sensors and the attainable consecutive DOFs of the proposed MIMO radar. Through simulation experiments, we demonstrate the superior accuracy of the proposed MIMO configuration in DOA estimation and angle resolution under the condition of mutual coupling effect.

Distance- and Angle-Based Hybrid Localization Integrated in the IEEE 802.15.4 TSCH Communication Protocol

Accurate localization of devices within Internet of Things (IoT) networks is driven by the emergence of novel applications that require context awareness to improve operational efficiency, resource management, automation, and safety in industry and smart cities. With the Integrated Localization and Communication (ILAC) functionality, IoT devices can simultaneously exchange data and determine their position in space, resulting in maximized resource utilization with reduced deployment and operational costs. Localization capability in challenging scenarios, including harsh environments with complex geometry and obstacles, can be provided with robust, reliable, and energy-efficient communication protocols able to combat impairments caused by interference and multipath, such as the IEEE 802.15.4 Time-Slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) protocol. This paper presents an enhancement of the TSCH protocol that integrates localization functionality along with communication, improving the protocol’s operational capabilities and setting a baseline for monitoring, automation, and interaction within IoT setups in physical environments. A novel approach is proposed to incorporate a hybrid localization by integrating Direction of Arrival (DoA) estimation and Multi-Carrier Phase Difference (MCPD) ranging methods for providing DoA and distance estimates with each transmitted packet. With the proposed enhancement, a single node can determine the location of its neighboring nodes without significantly affecting the reliability of communication and the efficiency of the network. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach are validated in a real scenario in an office building using low-cost proprietary devices, and the software incorporating the solution is provided. The experimental evaluation results show that a node positioned in the center of the room successfully estimates both the DoA and the distance to each neighboring node. The proposed hybrid localization algorithm demonstrates an accuracy of a few tens of centimeters in a two-dimensional space.

Spatial Spectrum Estimation of Weak Scattering Wave Signal in Range-Doppler Domain

How to enhance the desired signal with low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a difficult problem in the estimation process of the direction-of-arrival (DOA) of the target scattering wave signal. In this paper, the feasibility of spatial spectrum estimation in the Range-Doppler (RD) domain is analyzed in principle, and the SNR gain expression of weak scattering wave signal is derived when constructing multi-snapshots virtual array data. On this basis, the mutual eigenvector singular value decomposition (MESVD) method based on RD domain mode excitation is proposed, which can robustly and effectively estimate the direction of the coherent weak signals. Simulation experiments verify that the RD domain spectral estimation method has the ability to simultaneously obtain the direction of multiple weak target scattering waves, and the direction-finding accuracy can reach the Cramer–Rao bound (CRB) of conventional spectral estimation method. The results of Monte Carlo experiments show that the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of azimuth estimation of RD domain spatial spectrum estimation method is 5.76° lower than that of a conventional multiple signal classification (MUSIC) method. In addition, the practicability of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the DOA estimation results of a set of real data with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data.

A nonconvex sparse recovery method for DOA estimation based on the trimmed lasso

Sparse direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation methods can be formulated as a group-sparse optimization problem. Meanwhile, sparse recovery methods based on nonconvex penalty terms have been a hot topic in recent years due to their several appealing properties. Herein, this paper studies a new nonconvex regularized approach called the trimmed lasso for DOA estimation. We define the penalty term of the trimmed lasso in the multiple measurement vector model by ℓ2,1-norm. First, we use the smooth approximation function to change the nonconvex objective function to the convex weighted problem. Next, we derive sparse recovery guarantees based on the extended Restricted Isometry Property and regularization parameter for the trimmed lasso in the multiple measurement vector problem. Our proposed method can control the desired level of sparsity of estimators exactly and give a more precise solution to the DOA estimation problem. Numerical simulations show that our proposed method overperforms traditional approaches, which is more close to the Cramer-Rao bound.

Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using switched beam antenna with butler matrix at mm-wave frequency

This paper presents a butler matrix-based microstrip hexagonal patch antenna with a direction of arrival (DOA) estimation approach for mm-wave application. The hexagonal-shaped patch antenna had been designed with a Z-shaped slot with an eight-port butler matrix. The DOA estimation is also done for the switched beam antenna using a novel direction of arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm known as Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB). The proposed design leads to significant size reduction and loss minimization. In addition to this, the design had the advantages of being low-cost, lightweight, and small-volume. The entire proposed design provides an operating frequency range of 28 GHz to 39 GHz with a center frequency of 33 GHz. The proposed work makes use of two butler matrices with two 45° phase shifters and 120° phase shifters. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and antenna design using the Butler matrix is evaluated for various performance metrics separately. The antenna is designed using Rogers RT/duroid 5880(tm) substrate, and the fabricated prototype is studied. The designed antenna attains high radiation efficiency, and it ranges between 97 and 98 % under both the measures and simulated scenarios under the operating frequency range of 28 GHz to 39 GHz.

Joint parameter estimation algorithm for polarization-sensitive channel compression arrays based on atomic norm minimization

To reduce the complexity of direction-of-arrival (DOA) algorithms in polarization-sensitive arrays and maintain high estimation accuracy while decreasing runtime, this paper proposes a channel compression model based on orthogonal dipole arrays. In addition, a DOA estimation algorithm using atomic norm minimization (ANM) is introduced for this model. This algorithm performs eigenvalue decomposition on the covariance matrix of the data received from the polarization-sensitive channel compressed array. A new observation vector is constructed for the ANM problem under the channel compression model using the obtained eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Subsequently, a Toeplitz matrix is constructed from the optimal solution of the semi-positive definite programming (SDP) problem. The Vandermonde decomposition of the Toeplitz matrix provides estimates of the signal DOA parameters. By combining the vectorization result of the covariance matrix and the least-squares calculation, the polarization auxiliary angle and polarization phase angle information of the incident source are also obtained. Simulation experiments compare the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of each algorithm at different angular intervals and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) to confirm the validity of estimating DOA and polarization parameters.

Joint velocity and angle estimation for single-cycle TDM MIMO automotive radar

Time-division multiplexing (TDM) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems have gained popularity in automotive applications, thanks to their high-resolution and cost-effective properties. However, when the relative motion between the target and the radar is significant and possibly fast time-varying, TDM MIMO systems suffer for reduced maximum unambiguous velocity and angle-Doppler coupling. In this work, a novel off-grid estimation method for TDM MIMO systems is developed that operates on a single cycle and is able to accurately estimate unambiguously the instantaneous velocity and the target direction of arrival (DOA). We model the angle-Doppler coupling through a space-time steering vector. Then, an iterative adaptive approach (IAA)-based method is exploited to reconstruct the 2D velocity-angle spectrum. Additionally, we account for off-grid errors when the targets do not lie on the search grids. A coarse-to-fine strategy is proposed to alleviate the computational burden, where a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator iteratively corrects the off-grid velocity and DOA estimates of each target. Simulated and experimental data are processed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Research on direction of arrival estimation for mixed broadband signals

In practical applications, the signals received by a hydrophone array include coherent and incoherent signals, while estimating the direction of arrival (DOA) of coherent or incoherent signals has been studied for simplicity with poor performance for a mixed signal. The present study proposes a novel approach for estimating the DOA of mixed broadband signals to solve this problem, namely the oblique method. The unitary oblique method is simultaneously proposed to improve operational efficiency with the complex matrix shifted into a real valued matrix through a unitary transform. For independent signals, the incoherent signal subspace method (ISSM) is used to estimate the DOA. Matrix difference and oblique projection methods are adopted for multi-group coherent signals in order to eliminate the influence of incoherent signals and other groups of coherent signals. For broadband signals, the Tasseled Cap Transformation focusing transform is utilized to convert the broadband signal to the focusing frequency, and then the high-resolution Multiple Signal Classification algorithm method is employed to solve the problem. Simulation results indicate that the oblique method reconciles DOA estimation performance and computational efficiency and can be extended to other types of arrays.

Direction-of-Arrival Estimation for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Aircraft Transponders Using a Multi-Mode Multi-Port Antenna.

Increasing airspace safety is an important challenge, both for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as manned aircraft. Future developments of collision avoidance systems are supposed to utilize information from multiple sensing systems. A compact sensing system could employ a multi-mode multi-port antenna (M 3PA). Their ability to radiate multiple orthogonal patterns simultaneously makes them suitable for communication applications as well as bearing and ranging applications. Furthermore, they can be designed to flexibly originate near-omnidirectional and/or directional radiation patterns. This option of flexibility with respect to the radiation characteristic is desired for antennas integrated in collision avoidance systems. Based on the aforementioned properties, M 3PAs represent a compelling option for aircraft transponders. In this paper, direction-of-arrival (DoA) estimation using an M 3PA designed for aerial applications is put to the test. First, a DoA estimation scheme suitable to be employed with M 3PAs is introduced. Next, the validity of the proposed method is confirmed through numerical simulations. Lastly, practical experiments are conducted in an antenna measurement chamber to verify the numerical results.

RDCSAE-RKRVFLN: A unified deep learning framework for robust and accurate DOA estimation

This paper introduces an innovative unified deep learning (DL) model, “reduced deep convolutional stack autoencoder (RDCSAE)-robust kernel-based random vector functional link network (RKRVFLN)” (RDCSAE-RKRVFLN), for addressing practical challenges like phase and gain uncertainty, mutual coupling effects, and element position errors in direction of arrival (DOA) estimation. The RDCSAE utilizes deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) and stack autoencoder (SAE) for robust feature extraction. The RKRVFLN integrates a concise SAE output with kernel-based learning. Thus, the integration of RDCSAE (suitable for unsupervised feature extraction) and RKRVFLN (for supervised learning) in the developed model results in efficient use of limited training data. Performance metrics of this method include among others the accuracy (separation between sources), root mean square error (RMSE), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), etc. The method performs better than existing data driven methods in terms of computational efficiency, faster learning speed, enhanced model generalization, higher accuracy, and shorter event regression time and empirical methods. In the presence of above mentioned four perturbations, this method successfully resolves multiple sources with a resolution of 0.3° with a RMSE of 0.00376. For real time application, the paper implements RDCSAE-RKRVFLN on a high-speed reconfigurable Xilinx Virtex-5 field-programmable gate array (FPGA) realizing a digital DOA estimator for one source. The hardware estimates the DOA with a maximum error of 0.01953125 which follows closely the simulation results indicating the efficiency and feasibility of the method.