A novel approach to fast DOA estimation of multiple spatial narrowband signals

A novel approach, which is totally different from the traditional methods, for estimating directions-of-arrival of multiple spatial narrow-band signals is presented in this paper. Based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the sensor array output data, a relationship between the FFT spectrum and the direction-of-arrival (DOA) angles is established so that the angles can quickly be estimated through searching peaks in the FFT spectrum. In addition, the performance of the proposed approach with sensor gain and phase perturbations is also discussed. Computer simulations confirm the availability of the proposed approach.