Wideband direction-of-arrival estimation using the ESPRIT algorithm

A novel direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm is proposed that applies to wideband emitter signals. A sensor array with a translation invariance structure is assumed, and an extension of the ESPRIT algorithm for narrowband emitter signals is obtained. Following the ideas of G. Su and M. Morf (1986) the authors model the emitter signals as the stationary output of a finite-dimensional linear system driven by white noise. The array response to a unit impulse from a given direction is represented as the impulse response of a linear system. The measured data from the sensor array can then be seen as the output of a multidimensional linear system driven by white noise sources and corrupted by additive noise. The emitter signals are characterized by the modes of the linear system. The ESPRIT algorithm is applied at the poles of the system, the power of the signals sharing the pole is captured and the effect of noise is reduced.<>