Precision of 3-Configurations with Respective Sub-Configurations of 2-Ring Concentric Planar Array in Direction Finding

Abstract

Direction finding is a key area of sensor array processing which is encountered in a broad range of important engineering applications. These applications include wireless communication, radar, sonar, among others. This work compares the estimation accuracy of 3-configurations (based on the inner radius variation and constant outer radius) of a 2-ring concentric planar array that is uniform in direction finding via the Cram´er-Rao bound derivation and analysis. The 3-configurations’ estimation accuracy is articulated to their respective sub-configurations based on the sensors distribution in each ring. The sub-configurations use equal overall number of sensors but with 60% - 40% distribution, 50% - 50% distribution and 40% - 60% distribution on the inner-outer rings respectively. Results showed that, estimation accuracy increases as the inner radius approaches the outer radius and thus configuration three has the best precision in direction finding. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned sub-configurations, configuration three is again found to have the best estimation accuracy. These findings would help direction finders such as engineers to economically utilize a given number of sensors.