Implementation of FPGA based fast DOA estimator using unitary MUSIC algorithm [cellular wireless base station applications]

This paper proposes the practical implementation of a DOA estimation system, using an FPGA (field programmable gate array), that is a key technique in the realization of the DOA-based adaptive array antenna for cellular wireless base-stations. It incorporates the spectral unitary MUSIC (multiple signal classification) algorithm, which is one of the representative super resolution DOA estimation techniques. This paper describes the DSP design and real hardware implementation of the unitary MUSIC algorithm. This system achieves a high performance in the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) and MUSIC angular spectra computation with a cyclic Jacobi processor based on CORDIC (coordinate rotation digital computer) and spatial DFT (discrete Fourier transform), respectively. All DSP functions are computed by only fixed-point operation with finite bit-length to meet the requirements of fast processing and low power consumption due to the simplified and optimized architecture.