Direction of arrival estimation using super-resolution algorithm

The angular resolution of conventional antenna is limited by the antenna mainlobe beamwidth. To reduce the antenna mainlobe beamwidth by conventional approach requires either using larger antenna or operating at a higher frequency. Both approaches may be undesirable for the application of airborne radar systems. This report suggests using a sensor array to perform space-time processing to enhance the angular resolution of antenna. By using the eigenanalysis method, the time sequence of sensor array outputs are decomposed into the signal and noise subspace and noise only subspace. The two subspaces are orthogonal to each other. Using the generalized MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) method, closed spaced targets within the antenna mainlobe may be resolved. The theoretical background is discussed in this report. Computer simulation results are presented to verify the super resolution capability of this signal processing algorithm