Accurate DOA estimation using array antenna with arbitrary geometry

The so called universal steering vector (USV) whose locus is equivalent to the array element pattern is applied to the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation by multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. It is shown that if the USV which includes the effect of the mutual coupling between the array elements is used, the compensation for the received voltage to remove the effect of the mutual coupling is not required any more. The USV for array antennas with arbitrary geometry is derived and evaluated efficiently by using the method of moments (MoM) so that the DOA estimation can be performed accuratly by using the array antenna with arbitrary geometry. Numerical examples of the DOA estimation by a dipole array antenna, and an antenna array composed of a monopole antenna and a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) mounted on a mobile handset are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.