Angle of arrival estimation using eigenvalue decomposition for high resolution at small angular separation

In this paper, an angle of arrival (AOA) estimator is developed. Space processing applications and wireless positioning techniques require AOA estimates to enhance signal reception and locate wireless devices. Like the ESPRIT algorithm, the proposed method utilises the cross-correlation matrix deduced from the received signal at both sides of antenna array doublets. The estimator is based on applying the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) method on the cross-correlation matrix. The proposed method gives better performance than the ESPRIT method at small angular separation between sources signals. Simulations of the proposed method are shown to assess its performance.