Direction and polarization estimations of signals using vector circular array.

Abstract

Most conventional circular arrays are of scalar with identical antenna elements for sensing vertically polarized signals with low grazing angles. For some applications, it is desired to sense signals with high elevation angles and their polarizations. In this study, vector circular arrays are proposed for estimating direction of arrival (DOA) and polarization of signals with relatively high elevation angles and arbitrary linear polarization. In this study, high resolution DOA approaches are adopted and studied. The system concepts, mathematical formulation, and error analysis results are presented to show this new vector circular array system and its effectiveness.