DOA-estimation methods with superresolution comparison depending on directivity factor of directive elements of conformal and planar antenna arrays on azimuth-elevation planes

Abstract

Direction finding is widely spread and highly researching area. There are lots of methods to estimate spatial positions of radio sources. It is well known that maximum likelihood estimation method gives the highest accuracy and is capable of reaching Cramer-Rao bound. The main task of the paper is to research of direction-of-arrival estimation methods with super resolution such as MUSIC, Capon etc. Also the methods are not researched deeply for 2D (azimuth and elevation planes) scenarios via conformal and planar antenna arrays with directive elements. The root mean square error (RMSE) rate of estimates by the methods with super resolution such as MUSIC, Capon etc. in azimuth-evaluation cases are calculated via simulation depending on directivity ratio of elements as well as the probability of resolution and spatial spectrum bias. Additionally, the values are estimated in various noise environments and for various geometries of antenna arrays. Some features of functioning MUSIC direction-finding method for azimuth and elevation estimation as a part of the conformal and planar with directive elements are determined. One of the most dangerous features is false peaks which prevent exact spatial coordinate estimation and the processing speed of each method under consideration.