A Novel High Resolution ICA-Based TOA Estimation Technique

In this paper, a novel high resolution time of arrival (TOA) technique is proposed for multipath wireless environments. The technique is based on frequency domain independent component analysis (ICA). The proposed technique has applications in radar, sonar, wireless local positioning system, and, mobile adhoc networks (MANETS). The proposed algorithm is compared to the traditional techniques such as delay lock loop (DLL) and super-resolution multiple signal classification (MUSIC). Simulations are conducted to compare performance measures that include: (1) sensitivity to bandwidth, (2) resolution: Capability of resolving closely spaced reflections in a multi-path environment, (3) sensitivity to number-of-observations, and (4) sensitivity to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm leads to lower sensitivity to SNR, number-of-observations, and, bandwidth. In addition, the technique possesses a high resolution and can be simply implemented via FPGA (field programmable gate array) and DSP (digital signal processor).