Antenna position estimation through sub-sampled exponential analysis of harmonically related input signals

Citation

Louw R, Knaepkens F, Cuyt A, Lee W, Wijnholds SJ, de Villiers DIL & Weideman R (2021) Antenna position estimation through sub-sampled exponential analysis of harmonically related input signals. In: Proceedings of XXXIV General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (GASS) of the International Union of Radio Science (Union Radio Scientifique International - URSI). XXXIV General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (GASS) of the International Union of Radio Science (Union Radio Scientifique International - URSI), Rome, Italy, 28.08.2021-04.09.2021. Piscataway, NJ, USA: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.23919/URSIGASS51995.2021.9560519

Abstract
Accurate placement of elements in large antenna arrays is a difficult and costly process. We explore the use of the validated exponential analysis (VEXPA) technique that was previously formulated to solve a direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation problem, to find the antenna element positions in an array after the installation phase, so that cost-savings can be realised during placement of the antenna elements. Measurements are taken from harmonically related input signals transmitted from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for which the position in the sky is known. It is shown how the UAV's zenith angle can be manipulated to generate parameters required for VEXPA's de-aliasing step. A simple simulation illustrates the functioning of the proposed method.

Keywords
Phased arrays; Direction-of-arrival estimation; Array signal processing; Transmitting antennas; Estimation; Directive antennas; Position measurement

• URSI-GASS-2021