Performance of diversely polarized antenna arrays for correlatedsignals

The performance of direction finding systems in a correlated signal environment utilizing diversely polarized antenna arrays is investigated. The Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) is used to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated directions of arrival (DOAs). Compact closed form formulas are presented for the CRB corresponding to the joint estimation of the DOAs, signal covariance matrix, signal polarization parameters, and noise variance. The CRB is evaluated numerically for selected examples, to provide insights into the potential improvement in direction-finding accuracy due to polarization diversity     

Variance Analysis of the Angle Output Voltage for an Amplitude Monopulse Receiver

The amplitude-comparison monopulse receiver utilizes two overlapping antenna patterns to determine the angle of arrival of an incoming RF signal for use in a direction-finding application. The thermal noise introduced by the receiver distorts the signal, causing an error in determining the exact angle of arrival of the signal. The analysis derives an expression for the deviation of the angle output voltage, or the angular error, due to receiver noise as a function of 1) the angle of arrival and 2) the signal-to-noise ratios of the two channels of the receiver. A receiver using a square-law detector and one using a linear detector are analyzed.     

甚高频全向信标改造成数字通信测向综合化系统的几种新方案

受卫星导航的冲击，甚高频全向信标（VOR）在未来航行系统中将失去它的重要地位，最终可能关闭。为充分利用VOR的频段和设备资源，本文提出了四种VOR发射机改造方案：第一是间断发射的慢速时空调制系统；第二是连续发射的二进制四相时空调制系统；第三是码分有参考信号时空调制系统；第四是时分有参考信号时空调制系统。给出了四种系统信号调制、编码、接收机设计等解决方案。改造系统的主要优点是将数字通信和无线定向综合为一体。     

Angle-of-Arrival Estimation Using an Adaptive Antenna Array

A direction-finding technique is presented that is capable of simultaneously estimating the arrival angles of multiple signals. Pulsed as well as continuous signals can be handled with the signal form only approximately specified. An adaptive antenna array is used as a processing device in the estimation technique. The effect of input signal and feedback loop parameters upon estimate bias is discussed.     

多径衰落条件下两种常规测向方法的误差问题

讨论了莱斯多径衰落信道模型在两类常规测向技术中的应用。利用常规测向技术对信噪比的特定要求,分析了具有莱斯分布特性衰落信道对比相、比幅测向误差抖动的影响,给出了其分布函数,并通过仿真指出其应用限制。最后就工程应用中所关心的模型参数获取和采样点数确定等问题作一论述。     

CRB: Sinusoid-Sources' Estimation using Collocated Dipoles/Loops

This work derives new asymptotic Cram?r-Rao lower bounds (CRB) for the estimation of multiple pure-tone incident signals' azimuth-elevation arrival-angles, polarization parameters, frequencies, amplitudes, and temporal phases—based on data collected by spatially collocated but orthogonally oriented dipoles and/or loops. The incident sources are pure-tones at distinct, deterministic but unknown frequencies, in contrast to the case of all incident sources at one common known frequency, as has been investigated in the existing research literature on the CRB for diversely-polarized direction-finding. The derived CRBs are closed-form expressions, explicitly in terms of the signal parameters. The new CRBs presented here reveal how a constituent dipole and/or loop's presence and orientation may affect estimation precision, thereby offering guidelines to the system engineer on what dipole(s) and/or loop(s) to include or to omit in constructing the electromagnetic vector-sensor.     

An operational system implementation of the ESPIRIT DF algorithm

The practical implementation of the ESPRIT algorithm into direction-finding system architecture is considered. In particular, the problems of phase ambiguity resolution for extended array separations and multidimensional azimuth/elevation estimation are addressed. Generalized solutions for these problems are proposed, and a bearing quality indicator that provides a measure of credibility associated with each angle-of-arrival estimate is developed. Plots of computer simulated performance are presented in order to assess the probability of detection, of failure to alarm, and of false alarm as a function of azimuthal separation and period of signal observation     

A Method of Trigonometric Interpolation for Processing Radio Direction-Finding Signals

Radio direction-finding techniques that use amplitude-trigonometric interpolation between signals received at a circular antenna array are reexamined. The accuracy of this class of direction-finding system is limited by interpolation, gain mistracking, and additive-noise errors. The channel gain mistracking error is shown to be significantly lower than previously estimated. Typical calculations show that the trigonometric interpolation technique is an order of magnitude more accurate than previously supposed.     

Direction of arrival tracking below the ambiguity threshold

We present an algorithm for direction-of-arrival (DOA) tracking that allows operation below the ambiguity threshold of the direction-finding (DF) system. Using multiple target tracking techniques, the algorithm turns the most likely DOAs of each measurement into multiple potential tracks and then selects the true track as that with the maximum cumulative likelihood. The improvement offered by the algorithm, namely the extension of the ambiguity-free signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) domain, is demonstrated in several simulated experiments using several array structures, including a sparse array and a uniform linear array     

Sensitivity analysis of the maximum likelihood direction-findingalgorithm

A first-order analysis is performed of the sensitivity of the maximum likelihood (ML) direction-finding algorithm to system errors which cause differences between the array manifold used by the algorithm and the true array manifold. The effect of such errors on the directions-of-arrival (DOA) estimates is investigated. The ability of the ML algorithm to resolve two closely spaced sources in the presence of phase and gain errors in the array elements or in the receivers, or errors in the element locations, is analyzed. A formula for computing the failure threshold of the algorithm as a function of source separation and other system parameters is derived and tested by simulation. The analysis assumes that the exact covariance matrix of array element outputs is known     

An Analysis of Wide-Band Microwave Monopulse Direction-Finding Techniques

This paper presents the concept, theory of operation, characteris tic equations, and error analysis of four wide-band monopulse techniques. The basic techniques described, which include pure amplitude monopulse, phase and amplitude monopulse (two-and three-channel configurations), and pure phase monopulse interferometer, are particularly applicable to monopulse direction finding systems that require frequency coverage over several octaves and open-loop angle bearing of several degrees. Sufficient detail and working formulas are included to permit a trade-off analysis to be made between the direction-finding techniques for selection in specific hardware applications.     

The Effect of Ground Reflections and Scattering on an Interferometer Direction Finder

The azimuth and elevation angles of an airborne beacon transmitter can be determined using a direction finder comprised of two orthogonal interferometers located near the earth's surface. In this paper we consider the reflection of the incident electromagnetic field by the earth's surface and the resultant effect on the direction-finding system. The analysis yields an upper bound or limit to the interferometer phase error and the corresponding error in bearing angle that can result because of specular reflection and diffuse scattering.     

STEREO/Waves Goniopolarimetry

The STEREO/Waves experiment is dedicated to the study of inner heliosphere radio emissions. This experiment is composed of a set of two identical receivers placed on each of the two STEREO spacecraft. The STEREO/Waves receivers have instantaneous Goniopolarimetric (GP) capabilities (also referred to as direction-finding capabilities). This means that it is possible to retrieve the direction of arrival of an incoming electromagnetic radio wave, its flux and its polarization. We review the state of the art of GP-capable radio receivers and available GP techniques. We then present the GP capabilities of the STEREO/Waves experiment. We finally show some GP results on solar Type III radio bursts, using data recorded with the Cassini/RPWS/HFR, which are very similar to the STEREO/Waves data.     

Test Results with an Experimental Direction-Finding System

A direction-finding system was built that can simultaneously estimate the arrival angles of two incident signals. It is conceptually straightforward to extend the system to cases with greater numbers of signals. The system is designed to work with uncorrelated signals whose form is unknown, e.g., two communications signals residing in the same bandwidth. Pulsed as well as continuous signals can be handled. The technique involves the determination of the received signal's correlation matrix as an intermediate step. Pattern range tests were performed to determine angle estimate bias and accuracy.     

双机协同无源定位的飞行试验方法研究

分析了基于测向交叉定位的双机协同无源定位原理,构建了误差模型,给出了影响定位误差的因素。并从双机定位基线、目标机进入距离和目标机进入方位三个因素进行了双机协同无源定位误差的仿真。通过基于定位精度要求的试飞剖面设计,给出了两种典型的双机协同无源定位试飞航线,并给出试飞结果评估的方法和流程。     

Interplanetary type III radio bursts observed from high southern heliographic latitudes

Type III radio bursts observed from high southern latitudes are analyzed for the first time. The continual observation of these radio bursts by Ulysses from after the Jupiter swing-by to 50°S latitude argues for a wide latitudinal directivity of type III radiation. From this high latitude perspective, type III radio sources that lie in the far hemisphere of the Sun with respect to Ulysses are unambiguously resolved for the first time. Using the Ulysses direction-finding capabilities, the radio source locations in the 3-D heliosphere are derived for a radio event on 31 January 1994 when Ulysses was 45°S latitude. The source locations describe a spiral-like trajectory originating from the far side of the Sun. The angular radii of these radio sources are compared to angular radii that were previously derived from in-ecliptic observations.     

The Effect of a Pulsed Interference Signal on an Adaptive Array

The performance of a least mean square (LMS) adaptive array in the presence of a pulsed interference signal is examined. It is shown that a pulsed interference signal has two effects. First, it causes the array to modulate the desired signal envelope (but not its phase). Second, it causes the array output signal-to-interferenceplus-noise ratio (SINR) to vary with time. The desired signal modulation is evaluated as a function of signal arrival angles, powers and interference pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) and pulsewidth. It is shown that the signal modulation is small except when the interference arrives close to the desired signal. To evaluate the effect of the time-varying SINR, it is assumed that the array is used in a differential phase-shift keyed (DPSK) communication system. It is shown that the SINR variation causes a noticeable but not disastrous increase in the bit error probability.     

Adaptive Array Behavior with Sinusoidal Envelope Modulated Interference

The behavior of a LMS (least mean square) adaptive array with modulated interference is described. An interference signal with sinusoidal, double-sideband, suppressed-carrier modulation is assumed. It is shown that such interference causes the array to modulate the desired signal envelope but not its phase. The amount of the desired signal modulation is determined as a function of signal arrival angles and powers and the modulation frequency of the interference. Such interference also causes the array output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) to vary with time. However, it is shown that when the desired signal is a digital communication signal, the averaged bit error probability is essentially the same as for continuous wave (CW) interference.     

The Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation

The Cassini radio and plasma wave investigation is designed to study radio emissions, plasma waves, thermal plasma, and dust in the vicinity of Saturn. Three nearly orthogonal electric field antennas are used to detect electric fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 16 MHz, and three orthogonal search coil magnetic antennas are used to detect magnetic fields over a frequency range from 1 Hz to 12 kHz. A Langmuir probe is used to measure the electron density and temperature. Signals from the electric and magnetic antennas are processed by five receiver systems: a high frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 3.5 kHz to 16 MHz, a medium frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 24 Hz to 12 kHz, a low frequency receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 26 Hz, a five-channel waveform receiver that covers the frequency range from 1 Hz to 2.5 kHz in two bands, 1 Hz to 26 Hz and 3 Hz to 2.5 kHz, and a wideband receiver that has two frequency bands, 60 Hz to 10.5 kHz and 800 Hz to 75 kHz. In addition, a sounder transmitter can be used to stimulate plasma resonances over a frequency range from 3.6 kHz to 115.2 kHz. Fluxes of micron-sized dust particles can be counted and approximate masses of the dust particles can be determined using the same techniques as Voyager. Compared to Voyagers 1 and 2, which are the only spacecraft that have made radio and plasma wave measurements in the vicinity of Saturn, the Cassini radio and plasma wave instrument has several new capabilities. These include (1) greatly improved sensitivity and dynamic range, (2) the ability to perform direction-finding measurements of remotely generated radio emissions and wave normal measurements of plasma waves, (3) both active and passive measurements of plasma resonances in order to give precise measurements of the local electron density, and (4) Langmuir probe measurements of the local electron density and temperature. With these new capabilities, it will be possible to perform a broad range of studies of radio emissions, wave-particle interactions, thermal plasmas and dust in the vicinity of Saturn.DeceasedThis revised version was published online in July 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

阵列宽带Lamb波在结构损伤检测中的应用

阵列信号处理中的空间谱估计可以对信号源进行辨别和定位,于是通过采集在结构上布置的阵列传感器Lamb波信号用来检测损伤发生的位置。通常,大多数空间谱估计方法均以窄带信号为假定,在很多基于Lamb波的结构损伤检测中,为了减小频散特性的影响,大多数研究以Lamb波为窄带信号进行分析,但无限窄的激励信号是物理不可实现的。因此,其在多数情况下Lamb波信号并不符合窄带信号假定,更应被认为是一种宽带信号来进行处理。进而利用空间谱估计中宽带信号非相干子空间处理方法（Incoherent Signal Subspace Method,ISM）中阵列接收的宽带Lamb波信号进行处理,检测出结构发生单一损伤时的损伤位置。随后,当结构损伤与边界反射波有叠加时会引起损伤信号相干,采用宽带信号相干子空间方法（Coherent Signal Subspace Method,CSM）对损伤位置进行检测,得到了较好的结果。