Direction-of-arrival estimation using radiation power pattern with an ESPAR antenna

An approach for estimating direction-of-arrival (DoA) based on power output cross-correlation and antenna pattern diversity is proposed for a reactively steerable antenna. An "estimator condition" is proposed, from which the most appropriate pattern shape is derived. Computer simulations with directive beam patterns obtained from an electronically steerable parasitic array radiator antenna model are conducted to illustrate the theory and to inspect the method performance with respect to the "estimator condition". The simulation results confirm that a good estimation can be expected when suitable directive patterns are chosen. In addition, to verify performance, experiments on estimating DoA are conducted in an anechoic chamber for several angles of arrival and different scenarios of antenna adjustable reactance values. The results show that the proposed method can provide high-precision DoA estimation.