An Innovative Multiresolution Approach for DOA Estimation Based on a Support Vector Classification

The knowledge of the directions of arrival (DOAs) of the signals impinging on an antenna receiver enables the use of adaptive control algorithm suitable for limiting the effects of interferences and increasing the gain towards the desired signals in order to improve the performances of wireless communication systems. In this paper, an innovative multi-resolution approach for the real-time DOA estimation of multiple signals impinging on a planar array is presented. The method is based on a support vector classifier and it exploits a multi-scaling procedure to enhance the angular resolution of the detection process in the regions of incidence of the incoming waves. The data acquired from the array sensors are iteratively processed with a support vector machine (SVM) customized to the problem at hand. The final result is the definition of a map of the probability that a signal impinges on the antenna from a fixed angular direction. Selected numerical results, concerned with both single and multiple signals, are provided to assess potentialities and current limitations of the proposed approach.