Antenna Position Estimation Through Subsampled Exponential Analysis of Signals in the Near Field

Abstract

In a previous article we explored the use of a subsampled exponential analysis algorithm to find the antenna-element positions in a large irregular planar array after the installation phase. The application requires an unmanned aerial vehicle to be flown over the antenna array while transmitting several odd harmonic signals. The received signal samples at a chosen reference antenna element are then compared to those at every other element in the array in order to find its position. Previously, the far-field approximation was used to calculate the time delay between received signals. In this article the method is reconsidered for the more realistic case of when the source is in the near field of the array. A number of problems that arise are addressed, and results from a controlled simulation are presented to illustrate that the computational method works.