Optimal and Computational-Efficient Detection and Estimation of Multi-Paths in Channel Sounding

In this paper, we focus on detecting, estimating and tracking spatial multi-paths in radio propagation, based on elaborated channel sounding. An algorithm based on least-square criterion is proposed, and the multi-paths are estimated by an iterative method. The particle swarm optimizer(PSO) is used to guarantee both global optimum and computational efficiency in each iteration. Realistic system influence, such as system response, non-isotropic array gain, are considered and mitigated. The precision is theoretical analysed and experimental verified. It is shown that in this scheme, the spatial multipath separating and tracking ability can be significantly improved, and reliable results can be obtained. Moreover, the computational efficiency is significantly raised, and the trade- off of precision and complexity can be flexible.