Joint DOA and Polarization Estimation with Sparsely Distributed and Spatially Non-Collocating Dipole/Loop Triads

Abstract: This paper introduces an ESPRIT-based algorithm to estimate the directions-of-arrival and polarizations for multiple sources. The investigated algorithm is based on new sparse array geometries, which are composed of three non-collocating dipole triads or three non-collocating loop triads. Both the inter-triad spacings and the inter-sensor spacings in the same triad can be far larger than a half-wavelength of the incident sources. By adopting the ESPRIT algorithm, the eigenvalues of the data-correlation matrix offer the fine but ambiguous estimates of the direction-cosines for each source, and the eigenvectors provide the estimates of each source's steering vector. Based on the constrained array geometries, the fine and unambiguous estimates of directions-of-arrival and polarizations are obtained. Simulation results verify the efficacy of the investigated approach and also verify the aperture extension property of the proposed array geometries.