Reconfigurable Antenna Array Direction Finding System Based on a Fast Search Algorithm

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 21; no. 14; p. 4729
• Main Authors: Liu, Chunxi, Peng, Dongliang, Chen, Zhikun, Wu, Yong, Wang, Binan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 10.07.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Accuracy; Algorithms; Antenna arrays; Antennas; Communication; Crosstalk; Diodes; Direction finding; Direction of arrival; direction of arrival (DOA) estimation; Domains; Electromagnetic compatibility; fast DOA search algorithm; microwave switches; Music; Noise; Parameter estimation; PIN diodes; Radiation; reconfigurable antenna array; Reconfigurable hardware; Reconfiguration; Search algorithms; Sensor arrays; Shutdowns; Signal distortion; Unmanned aerial vehicles
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s21144729

In a traditional antenna array direction finding system, all the antenna sensors need to work or shut down at the same time, which often leads to signal crosstalk, signal distortion, and other electromagnetic compatibility problems. In addition, the direction-finding algorithm in a traditional system needs a tremendous spectral search, which consumes considerable time. To compensate for these deficiencies, a reconfigurable antenna array direction finding system is established in this paper. This system can dynamically load part or all of the antennas through microwave switches (such as a PIN diode) and conduct a fast direction of arrival (DOA) search. First, the hardware structure of the reconfigurable antenna is constructed. Then, based on the conventional spatial domain search algorithm, an improved transform domain (TD) search algorithm is proposed. The effectiveness of the system has been proven by real experiments, and the advantage of the system has been verified by detailed simulations.