Large-aperture sparse array antenna systems of moderate bandwidth for multiple emitter location

Spatial linear prediction filter (LPF) antenna systems of large aperture width (in wavelengths) are considered for the superresolution estimation of multiple-emitter locations over moderate bandwidths. A system is presented to accomplish this task with reasonably few degrees of freedom (DOF) from the large aperture using interferometer/sparse-array techniques and a shaped reference beam which can steer to the spatial sector of interest. Computer simulations on several multiple-source examples demonstrated that the concept is feasible, provided that true time-delay steering is used on the shaped reference beam. The optimal estimation system configuration results when time-delay steering is also applied to the interferometer elements. An example illustrating the results of the technique is provided.<>