Multitarget 3-D Location Estimation Based on Phaseless Measurements by Double Metasurface Antennas

Location estimation is pivotal for numerous applications in industries and academia. The advent of fifth generation wireless communications and the Internet of Things has led to the deployment of a multitude of devices, necessitating efficient location estimations. Traditional methods, such as Time of Arrival and antenna arrays, have their limitations, including the need for time stamping, clock synchronization, and high hardware complexity. Here, we propose a low-cost 3-D location estimation method using a double-metasurface-antenna system. This method projects multiple targets onto two virtual subplanes, uses geometric constraints to find target correspondences, and calculates the 3-D coordinates by solving multiple triangles. This method is computationally efficient and requires only intensity measurements, significantly reducing hardware complexity. The proposed method promises to estimate multitarget, 3-D locations, particularly in commercial and low-cost scenarios for next generation wireless networks.