A compact beamspace DOA estimation and beamforming communication device

This paper describes our design of a compact and efficient beamspace direction of arrival (DOA) estimation and beamspace beamforming device. The robust functionality includes high resolution RF emitter DOA estimation and beamforming in a noisy environment with strong interference. Simulations for beamspace DOA estimation using beamspace MUSIC and beamspace Capon methods are presented in conjunction with beamspace Capon beamforming. The DOA estimation accuracy, resolution, and beamforming output signal quality have been carefully studied and quantified. The algorithms have been implemented to utilize an 8 element uniform circular array (UCA) and an 8 channel analog beamformer (BF) operating at 5.8 GHz. The simulations and initial experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve good accuracy once it is properly synchronized. In addition, a significant decrease in hardware is realized when operating in beamspace versus element space.