2-dimensional ultra-wideband monopulse based direction finding

A novel ultra-wideband (UWB) 2-dimensional angle of arrival (AOA) estimation technique is presented. Using a planar arrangement of one dielectric monocone antenna surrounded by four dielectric rod antennas all exhibiting an almost frequency independent beam pattern in the range of 2–4 GHz, precise 2-dimensional direction finding based on the amplitude monopulse principle is applicable. Thereby an average absolute angular error of 2° in a range of ±50° in both ϑ and ρ is achieved. Using two auxiliary dielectric rod antennas time difference of arrival (TDOA) based direction finding can also be employed, whereas the array dimensions can be kept very compact.