Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices

Direction finding (DF) systems are used to determine the direction-of-arrival (DoA) of electromagnetic waves, thus allowing for the tracking of RF sources. In this paper, we present an alternative formulation of antenna arrays for modeling DF systems. To improve the accuracy of the data provided by...

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Main Authors: Bernardo Fabiani, Eduardo Sakomura, Eduardo Silveira, Daniel Nascimento, Daniel Ferreira, Marcelo Pinho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5048
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author Bernardo Fabiani
Eduardo Sakomura
Eduardo Silveira
Daniel Nascimento
Daniel Ferreira
Marcelo Pinho
author_facet Bernardo Fabiani
Eduardo Sakomura
Eduardo Silveira
Daniel Nascimento
Daniel Ferreira
Marcelo Pinho
author_sort Bernardo Fabiani
collection DOAJ
description Direction finding (DF) systems are used to determine the direction-of-arrival (DoA) of electromagnetic waves, thus allowing for the tracking of RF sources. In this paper, we present an alternative formulation of antenna arrays for modeling DF systems. To improve the accuracy of the data provided by the DF systems, the effects of mutual coupling in the array, polarization of the received waves, and impedance mismatches in the RF front-end receiver are all taken into account in the steering vectors of the DoA algorithms. A closed-form expression, which uses scattering parameter data and active-element patterns, is derived to compute the receiver output voltages. Special attention is given to the analysis of wave polarization relative to the DF system orientation. Applying the formulation introduced here, a complete characterization of the received waves is accomplished without the need for system calibration techniques. The validation of the proposed model is carried out by measurements of a 2.2 GHz DF system running a MUSIC algorithm. Tests are performed with a linear array of printed monopoles and with a planar microstrip antenna array having polarization diversity. The experimental results show DoA estimation errors below 6° and correct classification of the polarization of incoming waves, confirming the good performance of the developed formulation.
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spelling doaj.art-c105318e9f2a47219d9f9a04001974eb2023-11-22T06:09:45ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-07-012115504810.3390/s21155048Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering MatricesBernardo Fabiani0Eduardo Sakomura1Eduardo Silveira2Daniel Nascimento3Daniel Ferreira4Marcelo Pinho5Laboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilLaboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilLaboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilLaboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilLaboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilLaboratory of Antennas and Propagation, Aeronautics Institute of Technology, Sao Jose dos Campos 12228-900, BrazilDirection finding (DF) systems are used to determine the direction-of-arrival (DoA) of electromagnetic waves, thus allowing for the tracking of RF sources. In this paper, we present an alternative formulation of antenna arrays for modeling DF systems. To improve the accuracy of the data provided by the DF systems, the effects of mutual coupling in the array, polarization of the received waves, and impedance mismatches in the RF front-end receiver are all taken into account in the steering vectors of the DoA algorithms. A closed-form expression, which uses scattering parameter data and active-element patterns, is derived to compute the receiver output voltages. Special attention is given to the analysis of wave polarization relative to the DF system orientation. Applying the formulation introduced here, a complete characterization of the received waves is accomplished without the need for system calibration techniques. The validation of the proposed model is carried out by measurements of a 2.2 GHz DF system running a MUSIC algorithm. Tests are performed with a linear array of printed monopoles and with a planar microstrip antenna array having polarization diversity. The experimental results show DoA estimation errors below 6° and correct classification of the polarization of incoming waves, confirming the good performance of the developed formulation.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5048direction findingdirection-of-arrivalmicrostrip antenna arraymultiple signal classification MUSICmutual couplingpolarization diversity
spellingShingle Bernardo Fabiani
Eduardo Sakomura
Eduardo Silveira
Daniel Nascimento
Daniel Ferreira
Marcelo Pinho
Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
Sensors
direction finding
direction-of-arrival
microstrip antenna array
multiple signal classification MUSIC
mutual coupling
polarization diversity
title Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
title_full Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
title_fullStr Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
title_full_unstemmed Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
title_short Alternative Formulation of Antenna Arrays for DF Systems Considering Active-Element Patterns and Scattering Matrices
title_sort alternative formulation of antenna arrays for df systems considering active element patterns and scattering matrices
topic direction finding
direction-of-arrival
microstrip antenna array
multiple signal classification MUSIC
mutual coupling
polarization diversity
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5048
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