DOA estimation utilizing directive elements on a conformal surface

In this paper we present a methodology on how to use directive elements in an adaptive array methodology. Typically one uses isotropic elements having practically no gain then the signal level is increased by putting hundreds and thousands of these elements together. In this paper we demonstrate a methodology where the elements can be arbitrarily spaced and may even be non-planar. In addition it is shown how to deal with nonuniformly spaced and non-planar arrays. We illustrate these principles in a direction of arrival (DOA) estimation utilizing directive elements.