Online path loss estimation for localization using large aperture array signal processing

In this paper, a novel array-based method to estimate the path loss exponent (PLE) is developed. The method is designed as a part of an automatic calibration step, prior to localization of a source transmitting in the near-far field of the array. The method only requires the knowledge of the ranges between the array elements. By making the antenna elements transmit in turn, the array response model in the near-far field is ex ploited to estimate the current environment PLE. Simulation results show that this method can achieve good performance with one transmission round. The performance of the PLE estimation is investigated in the context of source localization with a sensitivity analysis to the PLE estimation.