The angle of arrival estimation of frequency-hopping cooperative object based on software-defined radio

The primary objective of this research is to propose and examine a technique for accurately determining the azimuth angle of cooperative objects. The proposed methodology aims were to achieve fast processing, increased precision, and enhanced safety. A transmitter emitting a continuous wave with a hopping frequency was utilized in combination with interferometry techniques to measure the angle of arrival (AOA) between two antennas. The efficient method incorporates a coarse-to-fine strategy that improves processing speed and azimuth angle accuracy and to effectively eliminate any signal interference, a Fourier bandpass filter is utilized. The coarse estimation is performed using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm, while the fine estimation is achieved using the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. The fine estimation involves utilizing coarse angle input and a scan limit of 2.5° that is determined from the largest simulated root mean square error (RMSE) value. Modelling and outdoor testing using software defined radio (SDR) have been carried out to assess the proposed methodology. The results from the analysis indicate that the proposed method produces the desired RMSE estimation of less than 1°, thereby validating its accuracy and effectiveness.