Algorithm of Signal Source Angular Location Searching and Tracking by Two-Dimensional Rectangular Array

An algorithm of searching and tracking the angular location of a signal source is presented. It is designed for the usage in a two-dimensional equidistant rectangular receiving antenna array. This algorithm uses symmetric perturbations of the array phase distribution on a fixed phase value and uses estimations of the signal values at the array output after these perturbations. It is required to make four such the perturbations in a two-dimensional array or to make two such the perturbations in a one-dimensional linear array. The array has to be a symmetric one for the algorithm usage. This means, that the phase distribution over the array aperture has to be an odd symmetric relatively the array phase center. Because of the phase perturbation, the algorithm can be used in the analog arrays with the phase only control or in the digital beamforming arrays with the complex-valued weights control. To improve the algorithm accuracy, it is suggested to use a correlator or a matched filter to estimate the array output signals. The estimation can be used if the array receives a pseudo random signal. Such the signals are widely used as the informational ones in a number of modern radio systems. Mathematical details of the proposed algorithm are presented. Simulation demonstrates the performance and the efficiency of this algorithm.