High gain pseudo-Doppler antenna

Research into location finding using Direction Finding (DF) techniques has been biased in recent times towards variants of classic techniques such as MUSIC and ESPRIT. These covariance matrix based techniques remain computationally intensive and require precisely characterised antennas. Even more important is the hardware cost of multiple receivers associated with multiple antennas. The pseudo-Doppler technique boasts a lower computational and hardware cost but has not, until now, been considered suitable for DF at cellular telecommunication base station sites. This paper presents a novel pseudo-Doppler antenna array capable of high gain. The performance of the array and associated signal processing algorithm was analysed using a frequency normalised simulation model written in Simulink. The RMS error performance for an 8 element calibrated array is <;0.2° with a SNR ≥10dB when modulation frequency components are compensated for. The high antenna gain achievable (>20 dB) enables mobile station signals to be detected from deep within the current and neighbouring cells.