Performance simulations of a 2.4 GHz indoor angle of arrival system for multipath components

Multipath propagation is generally considered as an inconvenience in indoor radio frequency positioning systems, causing a degradation of localization accuracy. However, it is possible to exploit spatial information of reflected signals in a multipath assisted indoor positioning system, based on angle of arrival estimation. In order to assess the accuracy of the estimated angles and optimize system parameters, a simulation tool was developed. The tool simulates indoor line-of-sight signals and specular reflections of a 2.4 GHz signal, impinging on an antenna array. With this simulator, the performance of the MVDR, Beamscan, root MUSIC and ESPRIT algorithms for angle of arrival estimation is compared. Other investigated parameters include the position of the array in a square or rectangular room, the number of antennas, the number of signal decorrelation operations and the number of angles of arrival to be estimated. For each configuration, the spatial distribution of angular errors was evaluated, facilitating the design and dimensioning of an accurate indoor angle of arrival system.