VAE/MPM/GA Technique for DoA Estimation Using Optimized Antenna Arrays

Many algorithms have been proposed to estimate the direction of arrival for the targets, but through using a large number of snapshots. In real time applications such as automotive radar, this is unacceptable as it causes delay and heavy processing. Instead, if only a small number of snapshots or, optimally, a single snapshot is available for DoA estimation, it will be fast and efficient. Single snapshot algorithms have a drawback as they require a large number of antenna elements, which considered a limiting factor. In this paper, a single snapshot DoA estimation technique is introduced by using optimized antenna arrays. The proposed algorithm is based on utilization of virtual array extension, matrix pencil method, and the genetic algorithm. The use of virtual array extension greatly improves the MPM performance. Furthermore, it exhibits a high DoA estimation accuracy by using a reduced number of antenna elements. The genetic algorithm is employed to determine the minimum number of antenna elements, which are required to estimate the DoAs with minimal root mean square error.