Skip to main content

A new low-complexity angular spread estimator in the presence of line-of-sight with angular distribution selection

Abstract

This article treats the problem of angular spread (AS) estimation at a base station of a macro-cellular system when a line-of-sight (LOS) is potentially present. The new low-complexity AS estimator first estimates the LOS component with a moment-based K-factor estimator. Then, it uses a look-up table (LUT) approach to estimate the mean angle of arrival (AoA) and AS. Provided that the antenna geometry allows it, the new algorithm can also benefit from a new procedure that selects the angular distribution of the received signal from a set of possible candidates. For this purpose, a nonlinear antenna configuration is required. When the angular distribution is known, any antenna structure could be used a priori; hence, we opt in this case for the simple uniform linear array (ULA). We also compare the new estimator with other low-complexity estimators, first with Spread Root-MUSIC, after we extend its applicability to nonlinear antenna array structures, then, with a recently proposed two-stage algorithm. The new AS estimator is shown, via simulations, to exhibit lower estimation error for the mean AoA and AS estimation.

I. Introduction

Smart antennas will play a major role in future wireless communications. There exist several smart antenna techniques such as beamforming, antenna diversity, and spatial multiplexing. Future smart antennas will most likely switch from one technique to another according to the channel parameters [1]. One of the most important parameters is the multipath angular spread (AS). For instance, the beamforming technique is to be considered when the AS is relatively small, while antenna diversity is more appropriate in other cases. Moreover, mean angle of arrival (AoA) and AS estimates are required to locate the mobile station [2].

In the last two decades, several algorithms have been developed for the direction of arrival and AS estimation. Based on the concept of generalization of the signal and noise subspaces, 3 multiple signal classification (MUSIC) is the most known mean AoA estimator. For AS estimation, many derivatives have been proposed. DSPE [3] and DISPARE [4] are two generalizations of the MUSIC algorithm for distributed sources. They involve maximizing cost functions that depend on the noise eigenvectors. The mentioned estimators are computationally heavy because of the required multi-dimensional systems resolution. A low-complexity subspace-based method, Spread Root-MUSIC, is presented in [5] where a rank-two model is fitted at each source, using the standard point source direction of arrival algorithm Root-MUSIC. This rank-two model depends indirectly on the parameters that can be estimated using a simple look-up table (LUT) procedure. In [6], a generalized Weighted Subspace Fitting algorithm is proposed. The latter, in contrast to DSPE and DISPARE, gives consistent estimates for a general class of full-rank data models. In [7], a subspace-based algorithm has been formulated that is applicable to the case of incoherently distributed multiple sources. In this algorithm, the total least squares (TLS) estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (TLS-ESPRIT) approach is employed to estimate the source mean AoA. Then, the AS is estimated using the LS covariance matrix fitting. However, the performance of this algorithm shows unsatisfactory results under some practical conditions [8]. In [9], a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm has been proposed for the localization of Gaussian distributed sources. The likelihood function is jointly maximized for all parameters of the Gaussian model. It requires the resolution of a four-dimensional (4D) nonlinear optimization problem. In [9] and [10], LS algorithms are considered to reduce the dimension of the system. The simplified ML algorithm belongs to the covariance matching estimation techniques (COMET) [11]. In [12], a low-complexity algorithm based on the concept of contrast of eigenvalues (COE) has been developed to estimate AS and mean AoA. The authors establish a bijective relationship between the COE of the covariance matrix: the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value and the value of the AS. Hence, for each SNR, a LUT is built. The mean AoA is derived using the estimated AS and the number of dominant eigenvalues of the source covariance matrix.

Many of these estimators make assumptions on the shape of the signal distribution, assume narrow spatial spreads, and eigen-decompose the full-rank covariance matrix into a pseudo-signal subspace and a pseudo-noise subspace. Most often they result into a multi-dimensional optimization problem, implying high computational loads.

To overcome this limitation, a low-complexity estimator [5] has been developed. Spread Root-MUSIC consists in a 2D search using the Root-MUSIC algorithm. Another mean AoA and AS estimator based on the same approach as Spread Root-MUSIC was developed in [13]. Indeed, thanks to Taylor series expansions, the estimation of AoA and AS is transformed into a localization of two closely, equi-powered and uncorrelated rays. However, like other estimators, Spread Root-MUSIC considers scenarios without line-of-sight (LOS). A new low-complexity estimator, based on a LUT approach was therefore developed [14]. First, it estimates the LOS component of the Rician correlation coefficient and deduces the Non-LOS (NLOS) component. Then, it extracts the desired parameters from LUTs computed off-line. The new estimator, like most estimators, assumes the a priori knowledge of the angular distribution of the received signal. In this article, we enable this method to select the angular distribution type from a set of possible candidates. For this purpose, a nonlinear array structure is required. We also compare the new technique to other low-complexity AS estimators. The first one is derived by extending the Spread Root-MUSIC algorithm [5] to the considered antenna configuration. The second one is the two-stage approach developed in [13].

The article is organized as follows. In Section 2, we def ne the used notations and describe the data model. In Section 3, we describe the new method for selecting the angular distribution type. Section 4 details the two low-complexity AS estimation methods that will be used to benchmark our newly proposed approach, that is the Spread Root-MUSIC algorithm [5], modified to handle a nonlinear array structure, and the two-stage approach presented in [13]. In Section 5, simulation 5 results are presented and discussed.

II. Notations and data model

In this article, non-bold letters denote scalars. Lowercase bold letters represent vectors. Uppercase bold letters represent matrices. The row-column notation is used for the subscripts of matrix elements. For example, R is a matrix and R ik is the element of that matrix on the i th row and the k th column. The sign ( . ) denotes an estimate. Superscripts between parenthesis are used to differentiate estimates at different stages of the estimation process.

In this article, we consider the single input-multiple output (SIMO) model for the uplink (mobile to base station) transmission. The mobile has a single isotropic antenna surrounded by scatterers. We also assume that the base station is located high enough and far from the mobile to ensure 2D AoAs and to avoid local scattering shadowing. As one example, these conditions are observed in the current GSM and 3G networks where the base station is usually placed on the building roofs. As in [14, 5, 15, 7], we suppose that the base station antenna-elements are isotropic and that the same mean AoA and AS are seen at all antenna-elements of the base station.

We consider the estimation of the AS and mean AoA from estimates over time of the time-varying channel coefficients associated with a single time-differentiable path at the multiple elements of an antenna array. Our model can therefore be associated with a narrowband channel, or with a given time-differentiable path of a wideband channel. Of course, in a wideband channel scenario, the potential presence of a LOS would only be considered for the first time-differentiable path, and knowledge of a zero K-factor could be assumed for the rest of the paths. We consider the following expression for the Rician channel coefficient [16]:

x ̄ i ( t ) = Ω K + 1 a i ( t ) + K Ω K + 1 exp j 2 π F d cos ( γ d ) t + j 2 π d 0 i λ sin ( θ 0 i ) ,
(1)

where a i is associated to the channel coefficients of the diffuse component (Rayleigh channel) for antenna-element i, Ω is the power of the received signal, K is the Rician factor, F d and γ d , are respectively, the Doppler frequency and Doppler angle. λ is the wavelength and d0iis the distance between the antenna reference and the antenna-element i, and θ0iis the AoA of the LOS, as shown in Figure 1a. Indeed, in our model, we consider uniform clusters, so that the mean AoA corresponds to the AoA of the LOS. Let x i be

Figure 1
figure 1

Array structures considered by the new AS estimator. a Two antenna-elements of an antenna array at the base station. b The V-array: an antenna array with three antenna-elements at the base station. c An antenna array with three antenna-element. d Butterfly configuration.

x i = [ x i ( 0 ) x i ( N - 1 ) ] ,
(2)

where x i ( n ) = x ̄ i ( n T s ) , and Ts is the sampling interval. In this study, we consider an arbitrary array geometry. That is why the array model described for instance in [3] and [11] is not adopted herea. Instead, we use the correlation coefficient of the Rician channel coefficients received at the antenna branch (i, k) given by

R T i , k = E [ x i x k H ] E [ | x i | 2 ] E [ | x k | 2 ] ,
(3)

where (.) H is the transconjugate operator. Hence, the Rician correlation matrix associated with the coefficients, R T i k , would be

R T = 1 K + 1 R Diffuse component + K K + 1 exp ( j 2 π M ) LOS component ,
(4)

where M is a square matrix defined by m i k = d o i λ sin ( θ 0 i ) - d 0 k λ sin ( θ 0 k ) . The expression for the correlation coefficient of the diffuse component (Rayleigh channel) is [17]

R i , k = θ i k - π θ i k + π f ( θ , θ i k , σ θ i k ) exp - j 2 π d i k f c c sin θ d θ ,
(5)

where

  • θ ik is the mean AoA;

  • σ θ i k is the AS or the standard deviation of the angular distribution;

  • f c is the carrier frequency;

  • c is the speed of light;

  • d ik is the distance between the antenna-element i and the antenna-element k; and

  • the function f ( θ , θ i k , σ θ i k ) is the power density function with respect to the azimuth AoA θ.

In this article, we consider only the Gaussian and Laplacian angular distributions, the most popular ones in the literature. However, our approach is still valid with other angular distributions.

If we consider the diffuse component and we assume a small AS value (σ θ < σ small ), then the correlation coefficient R i, k would be [14, 18]

  • Gaussian distribution:

    R i , k exp - 2 π 2 σ θ i k 2 d i k 2 λ 2 cos 2 θ i k exp - j 2 π d i k λ sin θ i k .
    (6)
  • Laplacian distribution:

    R i , k 1 1 + 2 π 2 σ θ i k 2 d i k 2 λ 2 cos 2 θ i k exp - j 2 π d i k λ sin θ i k .
    (7)

In this study, we are interested in estimating the mean AoA and the AS. In other terms, we determine the mean and the standard deviation of the angular ditribution of the received signal. The proposed algorithm is valid for non linear antenna arrays. Hence, each antenna branch represents different mean AoA and AS estimation values. That is why the parameters in question are function of the indexes i and k which refer to the associated antenna pair (i, k), as shown in Figure 2. As noticed, the two pairs (i, k) and (k, l) represent different mean AoA and AS values, ( θ i k , σ θ i k ) and ( θ k l , σ θ k l ) . Each couple is estimated using the correlation coefficients, R i, k and Rk, l,respectively. This model formulation with global parameters can be advantageous in a parameter estimation framework, when evaluating the Cramér Rao bound (CRB), for instance. In the following, we develop a new mean AoA and an AS estimator based on the correlation coefficient defined in (3).

Figure 2
figure 2

Scenario of mean AoA and AS estimation for non linear array.

III. New estimator with angular distribution selection

The idea is to find a simple relationship between the mean AoA and AS, and the Rician correlation coefficient. Since the expression of the Rician correlation coefficient R T i k is complex, our approach is to estimate the LOS component first. Then, the diffused component R ik is deduced, and the AS is extracted from LUTs. For each angular distribution type, a LUT is built off-line using the expression (5) for the NLOS component of the correlation coefficient. Indeed, for all possible values of the mean AoA and AS, the correlation coefficient of the diffuse component is computed using a numerical method (5). In our simulations, we varied the mean AoA from 0 to 90 degrees with a step of 0.1 degree. The AS is varied from 0 to 100 degrees with a step of 0.025 for small ASs (σ θ < 6 degrees) and a step of 0.1 degree for higher ones. One can argue that the building of the LUT using the considered steps requires a lot of time and an accurate resolution of the integral in (5). However, the LUT is computed once for all off-line and would not affect the real-world execution time of the new algorithm. Besides larger steps would affect the accuracy of the new estimator. The LUT expresses the desired parameterb as a function of the magnitude and phase of the diffuse component R ik . As defined in (4), the LOS component depends only on the Rician K-factor and the AoA of the LOS. In this study, we consider uniform clusters. Hence, the AoA of the LOS coincides with the mean AoA. If we assume small AS values and consider the diffuse component of the correlation coefficient (6) associated to the Gaussian distribution, then the relationship in (4) becomes

R T i , k = 1 K + 1 exp - 2 π 2 σ θ i k 2 d i k 2 λ 2 cos 2 ( θ i k ) exp - j 2 π d i k λ sin ( θ i k ) (1) + K K + 1 exp j 2 π ( d 0 i λ sin ( θ 0 i ) - d 0 k λ sin ( θ 0 k ) ) . (2) (3)
(8)

Considering only antenna-element pairs including the antenna-element reference "0″, both terms of the correlation coefficient R T 0 , k admit the same argument:

R T 0 , k = 1 K + 1 exp - 2 π 2 σ θ 0 k 2 d 0 k 2 λ 2 cos 2 ( θ 0 k ) + K K + 1 exp - j 2 π d 0 k λ sin ( θ 0 k ) .
(9)

Hence, the mean AoA is estimated by using the phase of the correlation coefficient associated to the antenna pairs (0, k). By analogy, the same expression is obtained for the Laplacian distribution:

θ ^ 0 k = arcsin - R ^ T 0 , k 2 π d 0 k λ ,
(10)

where symbolizes the phase operator and the subscript "0″ refers to the antenna-element reference and the distance separating the antenna-element pair (0, k) is such that d 0 k λ 2 . As one can notice, we use only the antenna-elements pair (0, k) to estimate the AoA LOS. Otherwise, the correlation coefficient of the diffuse component, R i, k , and the correlation coefficient of the LOS component would admit different arguments (see (8)). The final mean AoA estimate, θ ^ m , is the mean of θ ^ 0 k over all antenna-elements pairs {(0, k)} spaced by λ 2 . Indeed, the antenna pairs spaced by d0k λ give high estimation error since the correlation coefficient does not contain enough information, i.e., R T 0 , k is close to zero. It is understood that (10) is valid for antenna configurations having at least two antenna-element spaced by λ 2 . In most references, ULAs spaced by λ 2 are considered. Hence, our condition enlarges the set of possible antenna arrays that can be used. One can argue that 10 this solution does not take into account the left-right ambiguity. Indeed for linear arrays (antenna-element pairs in our case), it is not obvious to determine whether the incident signal is coming from the left side or the right one of the array [19, 20]. To avoid this ambiguity, we divide the cell into three or more sectors and the mean AoA estimation is achieved in each sector. In the remainder of this article, (10) is used for antenna-element pairs for which the left-right ambiguity does not arise. In other words, we imply that the arrays are constructed in a way that prevents this ambiguity by considering the cell division approach or other methods as in [19]. Indeed, this condition limits the subset of antenna structures that can be used for the mean AoA estimation, but still allows some flexibility in the design of antenna arrays. Without loss of generality, we consider the antenna configurations illustrated in Figure 1. All structures are supposed to be constructed in a way that prevents the left-right ambiguity. For these symmetrical structures, after a simple mathematical manipulationc, it is observed that (10) is also true for correlation coefficients R ^ T i , k associated with antenna-element pairs (i, k) spaced by d i k λ 2 , i.e., the antenna pairs (0,1) and (1,2) of all structures presented in Figure 1. The angles must have the same reference which in this case the normal to the antenna structure, and the clockwise sense is the positive one. The AS estimation is not affected by the choice of the angles measurement reference. Indeed, it measures the angular distribution spreading around the mean AoA. One can argue that relation (10) is only valid for small AS values assumption. However, we empirically find that the mean AoA estimate using (10) is still accurate for high AS values.

For the Rician factor, many K-factor estimators have been developed. In [21], the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic is used first to test the envelope of the fading signal for Rician statistics and then to estimate the K-factor. In [22], the K-factor estimator is based on statistics of the instantaneous frequency (IF) of the received signal at the mobile station. In [23], ML estimators that only use samples of both the fading envelope and the fading phase are derived. In [24] and [25], a general class of moment-based estimators which uses the signal envelope is proposed. A K-factor estimator that relies on the in-phase and quadrature phase components of the received signal is also introduced in [24].

We choose to consider the closed-form estimator presented in [24], which is easily implemented and quite accurate. This estimator uses the second-order and fourth-order moments (μ2 and μ4) of the received signal to estimate the K-factor (shown here for the estimate on the i th antenna):

K i = - 2 μ i ; 2 2 + μ i ; 4 - μ i ; 2 2 μ i ; 2 2 - μ i ; 4 μ i ; 2 2 - μ i ; 4 .
(11)

The final K-factor estimate is the mean of K ^ i over all antenna-elements i.

In [26], the expressions for the second-order and fourth-order moments at antenna-element i are:

μ i ; 2 = Ω + N 0 and μ i ; 4 = k i ; a Ω + 4 Ω N 0 + k i ; ω N 0 2 ,
(12)

where Ω and N0 are, respectively, the signal and the noise powers; and ki;aand ki;ωare, respectively, the Rician and noise kurtosis. In our article, we consider an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), i.e., ki;ω= 2, [26]. As in [14], we consider an estimated S N ^ R to reduce the noise bias. The expressions of the second-order and fourth-order moments become

μ ^ i ; 2 = 1 N n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 2 S N ^ R S N ^ R + 1 and μ ^ i ; 4 = 1 N n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 4 k ^ i ; a S N ^ R 2 k ^ i ; a S N ^ R 2 + 4 S N ^ R + 2 .
(13)

In the literature, the value of ki;ais computed by using the Rician K-factor which is unknown at this stage [27]. In our procedure, the Rician kurtosis k ^ i ; a is obtained by analyzing the term n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 4 ( n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 2 ) 2 and is computed as follows:

k ^ i ; a = ( S N ^ R + 1 ) 2 n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 4 ( n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 2 ) 2 - 4 S N ^ R - 2 S N ^ R 2 .
(14)

Several SNR estimators can be considered, such as in [28, 29] or [30]. In this article, we do not consider a specific SNR estimator, to avoid restricting our algorithm to a particular SNR estimator results. Instead, we consider an estimated SNR expressed in dB, ( S N ^ R d B ) . The latter is characterized by an estimation error modeled as a zero-mean normally distributed random variable with variance σ ε 2 , i.e., S N ^ R d B =SN R d B +ε, where ε~N ( 0 , σ ε 2 ) . As shown in [28], the studied estimators offer low estimation errors, especially for long observation windows. For the SNR range considered in our simulations, the variance of the estimation error is around 10-1. Hence, we choose extreme cases where σ ε 2 =0 or 1 (i.e., optimistic and pessimistic bounds).

With AWGN bias reduction, the expression for the estimated Rician correlation coefficient (for ik) is

R ^ T i , k = n = 0 N - 1 x i ( n ) x k H ( n ) n = 0 N - 1 | x i ( n ) | 2 n = 0 N - 1 | x k ( n ) | 2 S N ^ R S N ^ R + 1 .
(15)

Once the AoA of the LOS and the Rician K-factor are estimated, the estimated NLOS component R ^ i k is then deduced:

R ^ i , k = ( K ^ + 1 ) R ^ T i , k - K ^ K ^ + 1 exp ( j 2 π m ^ i k ) ,
(16)

where m ^ i k = d 0 i λ sin ( θ ^ 0 i ) - d 0 k λ sin ( θ ^ 0 k ) . When the antenna-elements separation d 0 k > λ 2 , we take θ ^ o k = θ ^ m . Note that all angle measurements must have a common reference. The AS is extracted from the LUT associated to the considered angular distribution type. Using linear interpolation, we determine which AS value corresponds to the magnitude and phase of the estimated correlation coefficient R ^ i , k . In this article, we treat the case when the a priori knowledge of the angular distribution is assumed. In this case, arbitrary arrays can be used including ULAs. We also propose a new method to determine the angular distribution of the received signal when it is unknown. In this case, a nonlinear array is required. In fact, we select the angular distribution type that fits the array geometry from a set of possible candidates. Different mean AoAs and ASs are obtained for the different antenna branches which is not the case for linear structures. Then, the selected angular distribution is the one associated with the minimum of the estimates' standard deviations. The level of accuracy for small AS values is taken into account as well. Indeed, (6) and (7) are computed assuming small AS values. As a result, we must first rank the AS. Then, if the latter is low, we can apply (6) or (7). In fact, the LUT approach shows low accuracy for small ASs. That is why we present here four variants of the new AS estimator depending on the knowledge of the angular distribution and the desired accuracy of the AS estimation.

A. Known angular distribution type and low AS estimation accuracy for small AS values

Let us first study a simple case. Consider a pair of antenna-elements (0, 1) spaced by d 0 1 λ 2 . We first estimate the LOS component, i.e., the K-factor and the mean AoA (using (10)). Owing to the estimated NLOS component R ^ 0 , 1 , we obtain the AS estimate, σ ̃ 0 1 ( c ) from the LUT associated with the considered distribution type, γ. The procedure is summarized as follows:

K ^ = - 2 μ ^ 2 2 + μ ^ 4 - μ ^ 2 2 μ 2 2 - μ 4 μ ^ 2 2 - μ ^ 4 , θ ^ m = arcsin - R ^ T 0 , 1 2 π d 0 , 1 λ , R ^ 0 , 1 = ( K ^ + 1 ) R ^ T 0 , 1 - K ^ K ^ + 1 e j 2 π m ^ 0 1 , σ ̃ 0 1 ( c ) = L U T γ | R ^ 0 , 1 | , R ^ 0 , 1 .
(17)

where μ ^ 2 ; i and μ ^ 4 ; i are the estimated second-order and fourth-order moments, respectively. When the antenna array is composed of more than two elements, the procedure is applied to each pair. The final AS estimate σ ^ R is the mean of all σ ̃ i k ( c ) divided by (K+1). The division by (K+1) is employed to recover the NLOS AS from the one associated to the Rician channel. When a uniform linear array (ULA) is used, the estimation error can be reduced even more by averaging the correlation coefficients over all antenna pairs spaced by the same distance, before using the LUT, instead of averaging the individual AS estimates over all antenna pairs.

B. Unknown angular distribution type and low AS estimation accuracy for small AS values

In real scenarios, the distribution type might not be predictable. To the best of our knowledge, there is no existing procedure that finds out the angular distribution type of the received signal. We present here a new method to select the distribution type from a set of possible candidates. The idea is to seek the distribution type that best fits the geometry of the array. A nonlinear array structure such as the one illustrated in Figure 1b, where the closest antenna-elements are spaced by ≈ λ 2 or less, has to be considered. The angle φ value is not static and can be modified to fit the base station construction constraints. As in the previous case, we estimate the LOS component. Then, for each antenna pair (spaced by d λ 2 ) and each distribution type γ, the mean AoA θ ^ i k ( γ ) and AS σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) are extracted from LUT γ . In this case, the estimated mean AoA is actually the sum of the received signal mean AoA, θ ik , and the angle of nonlinearity ± φ. Hence, to recover the desired mean AoA, we substract the angle ± φ (see the algorithm below). The selected distribution type ( γ ^ ) is the one associated to the minimum of the sum of the standard deviations σ a o a ( γ ) = std { θ ^ 0 1 ( γ ) , θ ^ 1 2 ( γ ) } and σ a s ( γ ) = std { σ ̃ 0 1 ( c ) ( γ ) , σ ̃ 1 2 ( c ) ( γ ) } of the estimated parameters:

σ a o a ( γ ) = std θ ^ i k ( γ ) ; ( i , k ) such that d i k λ 2 ,
(18)
σ a s ( γ ) = std σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) ; ( i , k ) such that d i k λ 2 ,
(19)
γ ^ = min γ { σ a s ( γ ) + σ a o a ( γ ) } .
(20)

The chosen criterion is motivated by the nonlinearity of the array. For instance, using the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, the mean AoA impinging at the pair (i, k), θ ik - φ, must be close to the one associated to the branch (k, l), θ kl + φ. Indeed, we assumed the same parameter values at the different array elements. However, by considering the wrong distribution type, the obtained mean AoAs would be different and as a result show high standard deviation. The same reasoning is adopted for the ASs estimates (19). One can argue that the mean of the AS estimates could be used instead of the standard deviation in (19). Actually, the mean of the obtained estimates would not give us any information about the angular distribution of the received signal. For instance, for the array structure illustrated in Figure 2b, we obtain two AS estimates associated to the Gaussian and Laplacian distributions. In this case, we cannot select the right angular distribution. This is why we consider the standard deviation of the AS estimates.

For the mean AoA estimation, we no longer require antenna pairs including the antenna reference "0", but instead each pair (i, k) separated by λ/ 2. Indeed, once the LOS component is determined and the diffuse component is deduced, we use (6) or (7) to estimate the mean AoA. The considered expressions are not restricted to antenna pairs (0, i) but to all antenna-elements (i, k).

Note that the procedure above estimates the mean AoA twice. In (10), the resulted mean AoA is used to compute the LOS component. Mean AoAs are then extracted from a LUT using the diffuse component of the Rician correlation coefficient. These estimates are employed to select the angular distribution by comparing their standard deviations (18). One can argue that the standard deviations of the AS could be used instead of estimating the mean AoA twice. However, when the AS is small, the angular distribution is close to an impulse function for both distribution types. In fact, the mean AoA standard deviations bear more information concerning the distribution type. In this case, the distribution type selection using the criterion (20) is no longer due to its high error rate. To overcome this limitation, we look for weights that express the importance of one parameter compared to the other, i.e., weights that ensure better selection. After running exhaustive simulations, results show that when the AS is small (σ < σ threshold ), only the standard deviation of the mean AoA estimates (18) must be considered. Even when the AS is high, the two standard deviations, σ aoa and σ as , should not be considered with the same importance. Indeed, a larger weight should be affected to the information provided by the standard deviation of the mean AoA estimates. Hence, the optimal weights were empirically set equal to

ω a s = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) > σ t h r e s h o l d ,
(21)
ω a o a = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) σ t h r e s h o l d + 3 2 χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) > σ t h r e s h o l d ,
(22)

where σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) is the mean of the estimated AS associated with the γth angular distribution and χ is the function defined by

χ [ A ] = 1 if the event A is true , 0 otherwise .
(23)

σ threshold was set empirically to 6°. In fact, this value depends also on the distribution type. In other words, σ t h r e s h o l d γ 1 σ t h r e s h o l d γ 2 . In this study, we consider the same σ threshold for both considered distribution types, to simplify implementation. Still, for more accuracy, one could use different values for each distribution type. The selected angular distribution type is then the one associated with the minimum of the weighted sum, so that, instead of (20), the following is used:

γ ^ = min γ { ω a s ( γ ) σ a s ( γ ) + ω a o a ( γ ) σ a o a ( γ ) } .
(24)

The final estimates for the mean AoA and AS is the mean of the obtained estimates associated with the selected angular distribution. The overall procedure is as follows:

K ^ = mean - 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 + μ ^ i ; 4 - μ ^ i ; 2 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i ; 4 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i , 4 θ ^ i k = arcsin - R ^ i j 2 π d i k k for d i k λ 2 θ ^ m = mean θ ^ 0 1 + φ ; θ ^ 1 2 - φ R ^ = ( K ^ + 1 ) R ^ T - K ^ K ^ + 1 e j 2 π M R ^ i , k ( c ) = R ^ i , k χ [ d i k λ 2 ] Γ = number of considered angular distributions For γ = 1 to Γ σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) , θ ^ i k ( γ ) = L U T γ ( | R ^ i , k ( c ) | , θ R ^ i , k ( c ) ) σ a o a ( γ ) = std ( { θ ^ i k ( γ ) d i k λ 2 } ) σ a s ( γ ) = std ( { σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) d i k λ 2 } ) σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) = mean ( { σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) } ) θ ^ m ( γ ) = mean ( { θ ^ i k ( γ ) } ) End
(25)
ω a s = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) σ t h r e s h o l d ω a o a = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) < σ t h r e s h o l d + 3 2 χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) σ t h r e s h o l d γ ^ = min γ ( ω a s σ a o a ( γ ) + ω a o a σ a o a ( γ ) ) θ ^ m = θ ^ m ( γ ^ ) σ ^ θ = σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ^ ) σ ^ R = σ ^ θ K + 1
(26)

C. Known angular distribution type and high AS estimation accuracy for small AS values

With small AS values, closed forms can be deduced from (6) and (7):

  • Gaussian distribution:

    θ i k = arcsin - R i , k 2 π d i k λ where d i k λ 2 ,
    (27)
    σ i k = - 2 ln | R i , k | 2 π d i k λ cos ( θ i k ) .
    (28)
  • Laplacian distribution: The mean AoA has the same expression as in (27), and

    σ i k = 2 | R i , k | - 2 2 π d i k 2 cos ( θ i k ) .
    (29)

The analysis of (28) and (29) shows that, when the correlation coefficient amplitude is close to one or zero, the AS estimation error is higher. Indeed, in this case, the estimation error of the correlation coefficient has an important impact on the AS estimation. The solution to their problem is to consider distant antenna-elements spaced by d λ. Indeed, in this case, the correlation coefficient amplitude is reduced. To avoid correlation coefficients with a magnitude too close to zero, we set empirically (i.e., by running several simulations) a lower limit of 0.05 to decrease the estimation error. In other terms, we exploit only distant antenna-element pairs for which the correlation coefficient magnitude is higher than 0.05.

To illustrate the overall AS estimation process, we consider the array configuration illustrated in Figure 1c. In this section, we consider the a priori knowledge of the angular distribution type. The procedure is then as follows. After estimating the LOS component and deducing the diffuse one, we consider first the closest pair of antenna-elements (Ant.0-Ant.1). From the 2-D LUT, we estimate the AS σ ̃ 0 1 ( c ) . If the obtained preliminary AS is larger than σ small , (28) and (29) are not to be considered, and the procedure is terminated. Otherwise, we use the distant elements (Ant.1-Ant.2) and the closed-forms provided by (28) and (29) to estimate the AS σ ̃ 1 2 ( d ) . The overall AS estimation procedure is as follows:

K ^ = mean - 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 + μ ^ i ; 4 - μ ^ i ; 2 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i ; 4 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i ; 4 R ^ = ( K ^ + 1 ) R ^ T - K ^ K ^ + 1 e j 2 π M If σ ̃ ( c ) ( k ^ ) < σ s m a l l and | R ^ 1 , 2 | > 0 . 0 5 σ ^ θ = g ( θ ^ m , | R ^ 1 , 2 | ) The function  g  refers to (28) or (29) Else σ ^ θ = σ ̃ 0 1 ( c ) End σ ^ R = σ ^ θ K ^ + 1
(30)

D. Unknown angular distribution type and high AS estimation accuracy for small AS, values

This case is a mix between the two previous cases, when an accurate estimation is needed for small AS and the angular distribution type is unknown. As one can conclude, the array structure has to have two main properties: the nonlinearity for the distribution type selection and the existence of distant antenna-elements for a high estimation accuracy in the case of small AS. The butterfly configuration presented in Figure 1d is then considered as an example. Other structures satisfying the conditions mentioned above could be used.

Once the LOS component is estimated and the diffuse one is deduced, as in the previous cases, we consider first the closest antenna-elements (spaced by ~ λ 2 ). For each angular distribution γ and antenna pair (i, k) spaced by about λ 2 , we extract the associated mean AoA θ ^ i k ( γ ) and AS σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) from LUT γ . Then, we compute the associated standard deviations, σ aoa (γ) and σ as (γ). The selected distribution type γ ^ is the one associated to the minimum of the weighted sum [see (24)]. If the preliminary AS σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ^ ) = mean ( σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ^ ) ) is larger than σ small , then closed forms of (28) and (29) are not to be considered, and the procedure is terminated. Otherwise, for accurate AS estimation, we consider the distant antenna-elements (d λ) with a correlation coefficient amplitude higher than 0.05. The latter is chosen empirically after several simulations. A correlation coefficient with a lower module would not have enough information to allow the AS estimation. Then, for each considered pair and each distribution type, we estimate the AS σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) using (28) and (29). During simulations, we noticed that the standard deviations of the AS estimates obtained using distant antenna-elements offer lower error probability of distribution type selection. A second angular distribution selection is therefore considered, for which at least two AS estimates ( σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) ) are needed. If the number of correlation coefficients with a module higher than 0.05 is inferior to 2, then we cannot compute the standard deviation of one AS estimate. In this case, the procedure is terminated, and the final AS is the preliminary AS associated with the selected distribution type γ ^ . Otherwise, we compute the standard deviations of the estimated AS obtained using the distant antenna-elements ( σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) ) :

σ a s ( γ ) = std σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) ; ( i , k ) such that d i k λ and | R ^ i k | > 0 . 0 5 .
(31)

The selected angular distribution, γ ^ f , is the one associated with the minimum of the sum (24) (using the standard deviations of the AS estimates of distant elements). The final mean AoA estimate, θ ^ m , is then the mean AoA associated with the selected distribution type, γ ^ f . The final AS estimate is the mean of the AS estimates over distant antenna pairs associated with γ ^ f , i.e., the estimated AS is

σ ^ θ = mean σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ^ f ) .
(32)

The overall AS estimation procedure is summarized as follows:

K ^ = mean - 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 + μ ^ i ; 4 - μ ^ i ; 2 2 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i ; 4 μ ^ i ; 2 2 - μ ^ i ; 4 θ ^ i k = arcsin - r ^ i k 2 π d i k λ for d i k λ 2 θ ^ m = mean θ ^ 0 1 + φ ; θ ^ 1 2 - φ R ^ = ( K ^ + 1 ) R ^ T - K ^ K ^ + 1 e j 2 π M R ^ i , k ( c ) = R ^ i , k χ d i k λ 2 R ^ i , k ( d ) = R ^ i , k χ d i k λ Γ = number of considered angular distributions For γ = 1 to Γ σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) , θ ^ i k ( γ ) = L U T γ ( | R ^ i k ( c ) | , θ R ^ i , k ( c ) ) σ a o a ( γ ) = std ( { θ ^ i k ( γ ) d i k λ 2 } ) σ a s 2 ( γ ) = std ( { σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) d i k λ 2 } ) σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) = mean ( { σ ̃ i k ( c ) ( γ ) } ) θ ^ m ( γ ) = mean ( { θ ^ i k ( γ ) } ) End ω a s = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) σ t h r e s h o l d ω a o a = χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) < σ t h r e s h o l d + 3 2 χ max γ ( σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ) ) σ t h r e s h o l d γ ^ = min γ ( ω a s σ a o a ( γ ) + ω a o a σ a o a ( γ ) ) c a r d E = cardinal { ( i , k ) | R ^ i , k ( d ) | > 0 . 0 5 } If σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ^ ) > σ s m a l l σ ^ θ = σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ^ ) θ ^ m = θ ^ m ( γ ^ ) Else If c a r d E < 2 σ ^ θ = σ ̃ ( c ) ( γ ^ ) θ ^ m = θ ^ m ( γ ^ ) Else For γ = 1 to Γ σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) = g ( θ ^ ( γ ) , | R ^ i , k ( d ) | > 0 . 0 5 ) The function  g  refers to (28) or (29) σ a s ( γ ) = std ( { σ ̃ i k ( d ) ( γ ) } d i k λ ) End γ ^ f = m i n γ ( ω a s σ a o a ( γ ) + ω a o a σ a o a ( γ ) ) θ m = θ ^ m ( γ ^ f ) σ ^ θ = mean ( { σ ̃ i j ( d ) ( γ ^ f ) } ) End End σ ^ R = σ ^ θ K ^ + 1
(33)

IV. Other as estimation methods selected for performance comparison

In this article, we compare the new AS estimator to other low-complexity algorithms. As mentioned before, there exist more robust estimators [2] and [10], but our purpose is to evaluate low complexity estimators. Spread Root-MUSIC is therefore the appropriate candidate for performance evaluation and comparisons. We also compare the new AS estimator with the two-stage approach [13] which is based on the Spread Root-MUSIC principle.

A. Extended spread Root-MUSIC to 2-D arbitrary arrays

The principle is to localize two rays symmetrically positioned around the nominal AoA. Then, the AS is estimated by using a LUT symbolized by the function Λ(σ ω ) computed by considering a mean AoA θ m = 0.

In [14], Spread Root-MUSIC for a ULA with inter-element spacing d= λ 2 , in the presence of a LOS, is presented as follows:

{ ν ^ 1 , ν ^ 2 } = Root - MUSIC ( R ^ c , n b . s o u r c e s = 2 ) ,
(34)
ω ^ = ν ^ 1 + ν ^ 2 2 ,
(35)
θ ^ m = arcsin ω ^ 2 π d λ ,
(36)
σ ^ R = Λ K - 1 | ν ^ 1 - ν ^ 2 | 2 2 π d λ cos θ ^ m ,
(37)

where R ^ c i , k = 1 N n = 0 N - 1 x i ( n ) x k H ( n ) is the estimated covariance matrix, and ν ^ i =2π d λ sin ( θ ^ i ) is the spatial frequency, θ m is the mean AoA, σ ^ R is the AS of the Rician fading channel, and Λ K (σ ω ) is the function defined by

{ Λ K ( σ ω ) , - Λ K ( σ ω ) } = Root - MUSIC ( R c ( θ m = 0 , K ) , 2 ) .
(38)

where σ ω = | ν 1 - ν 2 | 2 . Note that the function Λ K (σ ω ) depends on the Rician K-factor. To reduce the potentially large number of LUTs, we propose to consider the estimation and the extraction of the LOS component for Spread Root-MUSIC, as does our new estimator. In other words, we consider only the NLOS component instead of considering the total estimated covariance matrix R ^ c . In this case, one function Λ(σ ω ), with K = 0, is considered. The relationship in (37) becomes

σ ^ R = Λ - 1 | ν ^ 1 - ν ^ 2 | 2 2 π d λ ( K + 1 ) cos θ ^ m .
(39)

As presented in [5], Spread Root-MUSIC estimates the AS and mean AoA for ULAs. In this article, we adapt Spread Root-MUSIC to the butterfly configuration to be able to evaluate the performance of the new method. In [31], those authors propose an extension of Root-MUSIC to 2-D arbitrary arrays. Since Root-MUSIC exploits the Vandermonde structure of the steering vector of ULAs, the idea is to rewrite the steering vector a of nonlinear arrays as the product of a Vandermonde structured vector d and a matrix G characterizing the antenna configuration (manifold separation) [31]:

a ( θ ) G d ( θ ) .
(40)

The matrix G can be determined using the least square (LS) method as follows:

G = A D H ( D D H ) - 1 .
(41)

Once the characteristic matrix is built, the MUSIC-spectrum is then rewritten as a function of the new steering vector:

S M U S I C ( θ ) = ( d H ( θ ) G H E n E n H G d ( θ ) ) - 1 .
(42)

where E n is the matrix containing the eigenvectors associated to the noise subspace. As is noticed, the new noise subspace is no longer defined by the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix associated to the smallest eigenvalues, but by the product of the characteristic matrix and the eigenvectors E n . The estimated AoAs are then the arguments of the complex roots of the obtained pseudospectrum. One drawback of the extended Root-MUSIC algorithm is the heavy computations of the pseudo-spectrum. For instance, in our case, to ensure the required accuracy, the dimension of the characteristic matrix is set to (360 × 151), thereby increasing the algorithm's complexity significantly.

The modified Root-MUSIC still fulfills the properties of a consistent estimator. Hence, we can apply the Spread F algorithm described in [5]. Our new extended spread Root-MUSIC (ESRM) algorithm can be applied as follows:

θ ^ 1 , θ ^ 2 = Root - MUSIC - Butterfly ( R ^ c , n b . s o u r c e s = 2 ) ,
(43)
θ ^ m = θ ^ 1 + θ ^ 2 2 ,
(44)
σ ^ R = Λ - 1 | θ ^ 1 - θ ^ 2 | 2 ( K + 1 ) cos θ ^ m .
(45)

As noticed, the extended method does not differ from the original Spread F algorithm. The major difference is observed in the Root-MUSIC approach. The extended version of Spread Root-MUSIC computes directly the physical angles θ ^ i ,i=1,2 instead of the spatial frequencies v ^ i ,i=1,2, (34). The mean AoA θ ^ m is then the mean of the estimated AoAs.

In Figure 3, we compare the functions Λ(σ ω ) obtained for both ULA and butterfly configurations (see Figure 1d). Since our nonlinear structure presents distant antenna-elements spaced by 3λ, we consider a ULA with seven elements spaced by λ 2 . Note that while a ULA configuration can estimate AS values higher than 10°, the functions Λ(σ ω ) of the butterfly and (0-1-3) structures show lower limits.

Figure 3
figure 3

Λ( σ ω ) functions for different antenna structures for a normally distributed AS.

B. Angular distribution selection using ESRM

As mentioned before, the new AS estimator selects the angular distribution according to the standard deviations of the mean AoA and AS estimates. In this article, we adopt the same approach for the ESRM. As in our method, we need two symmetric structures with at least a 3D correlation matrix. Indeed, ESRM will require two dimensions for the signal subspace and another one for the noise subspace. In this case, one can consider the following antenna-elements combinations (see Figure 1d: (Ant.0-1-3) and (Ant.2-1-4). To build the function Λ(σ ω ), Root-MUSIC requires symmetric structures. In our case, the considered array structures give the following results:

{ Λ 1 ( σ ) , Λ 2 ( σ ) } = Root - MUSIC ( R c ( θ m = 0 , K = 0 ) , 2 ) ,
(46)

where R c is the covariance matrix. We then consider the function Λ(σ ω ) define by

Λ ( σ ω ) = | Λ 1 ( σ ω ) | + | Λ 2 ( ( σ ω ) ) | 2 .
(47)

The resulting function keeps the same properties as for symmetric arrays.

Once we build the function Λ(σ ω ), we apply the Spread F algorithm [5] to estimate the AS. At this step, for each angular distribution type (γ), two AS estimates are obtained. The firs one, σ013(γ), is associated to the structure Ant.(0-1-3) and the second, σ214(γ), is associated to the structure Ant.(2-1-4), see Figure 1d. The selected angular distribution type ( γ ^ ) is the one associated with the minimum of the standard deviations of the AS estimates:

γ ^ = min γ ( std ( σ 0 1 3 ( γ ) , σ 2 1 4 ( γ ) ) ) .
(48)

Simulations show that the angular distribution selection using ESRM is irrelevant. Whether the distribution type is Gaussian or Laplacian, the same mean AoA is observed. Indeed, (43) does not require the knowledge of the angular distribution type. That is why the standard deviation of the mean AoA estimates is not used in (48). Moreover, as shown in Figure 3, ESRM cannot estimate an AS higher than 4° using the structures (0-1-3) and (2-1-4). Using the same AS value in both structures, the angular distribution selection cannot be achieved considering the standard deviation of AS estimates. These cases are marked "x" in Table 1. This is why the a priori knowledge of the angular distribution type is required for ESRM.

Table 1 Error probability of angular distribution selection

C. The two-stage approach

In [13], a new two-stage approach similar to Spread Root-MUSIC was presented. The estimation of the mean AoA and the AS of the scattered source is transformed there into the localization of two closely spaced point sources. The new approach approximates the function Λ(σ ω ) by a linear function. Indeed for a ULA with M antenna-elements spaced by d= λ 2 , Λ(σ ω ) ≈ σ ω . As noticed, the function Λ(σ ω ) no longer depends on the angular distribution type. In other terms, the selection of the distribution type is not required for the two-stage approach. The algorithm is as follows:

d ^ m = 1 M - m l = 1 M - m R ^ c l + m , l ω ^ ( 1 ) = ( d ^ 1 ) θ ^ = arcsin ω ^ ( 1 ) 2 π d ω ^ ( M - 1 ) = ( d ^ M - 1 ) M - 1 δ ^ ω ( M - 1 ) = 1 M - 1 arccos d ^ M - 1 d ^ 0 e - j ( M - 1 ) ω ^ ( M - 1 ) σ ^ θ = δ ^ ω ( M - 1 ) 2 π d cos ( θ ^ )
(49)

where (.) and ( . ) represent operators that extract, respectively, the angle and the real parts. As other estimators, the approach described in [13] considers only LOS-free scenarios. In this article, we consider, as for ESRM and the new estimator, the NLOS component of the covariance matrix. The method exploits the Toeplitz structure of the covariance matrix by averaging the coefficient of the m th subdiagonals of R ^ c . It was shown in [13] that the covariance coefficients on the first subdiagonals give better mean AoA estimates. Simulations in [13] showed also that antenna- elements spaced by 2.5λ offer better AS estimation. For the butterfly configuration, the algorithm described above can be applied by considering antenna pairs. In other terms, the antenna-elements spaced by d= λ 2 are utilized to estimate the mean AoA and the distant ones are considered for the AS estimates. In this article, we select the antenna pairs spaced by 3λ, the closest distance to the one used in [13]. Indeed, the pairs (ant.1-ant.3) and (ant.1-ant.4) can be modeled by a ULA composed by six antenna-elements. In this case, the algorithm of the two-stage approach is applied with m = 5.

V. Simulation results

We illustrate the performance of the new AS estimator by means of Monte-Carlo simulations. We assume here that the channel coefficients are obtained through an appropriate channel estimation algorithm, and that the resulting time-varying channel coefficient estimates can be adequately modeled by the sum of the true time-varying channel coefficients with an AWGN component. The accuracy of the channel estimation procedure is then controlled by the variance of the AWGN component. In our simulations, for the diffuse component, we used a non-selective frequency (f at) Rayleigh channel. We considered the Rayleigh channel simulator described in [32]. The azimuth AS distribution for the incoming multipath signals are of Gaussian or Laplacian type. The carrier frequency was set to 1.9 GHz, which results in a wavelength λ of 15.79 cm. The mobile speed was set to 80 Km/h (22.2 m/s), which results in a Doppler frequency F D of 140.74 Hz. The sampling interval was set to T s = 1 15 00 ms. The SNR of the estimated channel coefficients is 15 dB.

First, we study the new estimator performance when the angular distribution is known. In this case, we consider a ULA with five antenna-elements spaced by a half wavelength. We compare the algorithm described in III. C. with the weighted least square (WLS) method and the stochastic CRB developed in [10]. In this article, we consider the unknown parameter vector defined as η= [ S σ n 2 σ θ θ m ] , where S and σ n 2 are the transmitted signal and noise powers. In [10], the variance σ θ 2 is considered instead of σ θ . Thereby, we recompute the CRB using (13) of [10]. The normalized mean square error (NRMSE) is used to evaluate both estimators:

NRMSE ( σ θ ) = 1 N n = 1 N ( σ ^ θ - σ θ ) 2 σ θ .
(50)

As shown in Figure 4, for mean AoA estimation the new estimator presents lower NRMSE and is the closest one to the CRB. For the AS estimation, the new estimator and the WLS method present close NRMSE (see Figure 5), for different computational complexities. For instance, the Gauss-Newton method used in the WLS technique converges in around 600 iterations, which increases significantly its computational complexity. One can also notice that the SNR estimation error does not affect the mean AoA and AS estimation. Indeed, whether the SNR is assumed known or with a Gaussian estimation error with variance σ ω 2  = 1 , both estimators show the same results.

Figure 4
figure 4

NRMSE in mean AoA using a ULA with 5 elements (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, SNR = 20 dB, K = 1).

Figure 5
figure 5

NRMSE in mean AS using a ULA with 5 elements (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, SNR = 20 dB, K = 1).

Second, we study the angular distribution selection and its impact on the new estimator. To this purpose, we consider the butterfly configuration with ϕ = 10°, d 0 1 = d 12 = λ 2 , and d13 = d14 = 3λ. Since it does not allow the proper selection of the angular distribution type, the a priori knowledge of the angular distribution type is assumed for ESRM. To study the effect of the K-factor estimation error and the variance of the estimated S N ^ R, σ ε 2 , on AS estimation, we consider several scenarios. In the first one, we assume the a priori knowledge of the K-factor, i.e., we use the true value of the K-factor to estimate the diffuse component. In the second case, we consider the true value of the SNR. In the last two cases, an estimated S N ^ R with variance σ ε 2 =1 is used.

As shown in Figure 6, the new estimator shows lower NRMSE for the mean AoA estimation. In Figure 7, the AS estimation with the variation of the K-factor value is studied. As noticed, the new estimator presents high NRMSE when the SNR is assumed unknown. As mentioned before, this is due to the important estimation error exhibited by the K-factor estimator (11). Indeed, If we consider the true value of the K-factor, the new estimator achieves more accurate results. The ESRM and the two-stage approach also show lower NRMSE when the true K-factor is assumed, especially when its value is high.

Figure 6
figure 6

NRMSE in AoA using the butterfly configuration (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, σ θ = 1°, SNRdB = 20 dB).

Figure 7
figure 7

NRMSE in AS using the butterfly configuration ( θ m = 10°, σ θ = 1°, SNRdB = 20 dB).

One can argue that the new estimator fails in the case of unknown SNR. Note that while ESRM requires the eigen-decomposition of the covariance matrix and finding the roots of a polynomial, our method uses only LUTs, simple closed forms, and some logical operations. Indeed, the Spread Root-MUSIC shows high complexity around M 3 log( M ) + M 2 ( N a + T ) + N a 2 N floating point operations, whereas the new estimator and the two-stage approach admit almost the same complexity of N N a 2 floating point operations. Moreover, owing to the definition of the function Λ(σ ω ), ESRM cannot estimate an AS greater than a certain limit. Therefore, for a large AS, ESRM exhibits high NRMSE.

The two-stage approach, similar to Spread Root-MUSIC, with a linear function Λ(σ ω ), is then considered. For the AS estimation (see Figures 8, 9), the new estimator shows lower NRMSE than ESRM and the two-stage approach, as expected. In fact, for a high AS, the function Λ(σ ω ) (see Figure 3) is not quite linear. Hence, the accuracy of AS estimation is affected. In contrast, the new estimator shows lower NRMSE for large AS values since unlike the ESRM or the two-stage approach.

Figure 8
figure 8

NRMSE in AS using the butterfly configuration (Laplacian, θ m = 10°, σ θ = 1°, SNRdB = 20 dB).

Figure 9
figure 9

NRMSE in AS using the butterfly configuration (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, σ θ = 5°, SNRdB = 20 dB).

As shown in Figure 10, for different values of the AS, the new estimator achieves better results then the ESRM and the two-stage approach. However, for low SNR values, the new estimator shows higher NRMSE then the ESRM, when an estimate of the SNR is considered. When the SNR is assumed known, the new estimator shows the best results (see Figure 11).

Figure 10
figure 10

NRMSE in AS using the butterfly configuration (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, SNR = 20 dB, K = 1).

Figure 11
figure 11

NRMSE in AS using the butterfly configuration (Gaussian, θ m = 10°, σ θ = 1°, K = 1, SNRdB = 20 dB).

VI. Conclusion

In this article, we described a new low-complexity AS estimator for Rician fading channels. The new estimator first estimates the LOS component of the correlation coefficient. Then, the desired parameters are extracted from LUTs computed off-line. The estimate of the LOS component of the correlation coefficient requires the use of a K-factor estimator. The second- and fourth-order moments K-factor estimator is considered for its simplicity and relatively good accuracy. To reduce the impact of the K-factor estimation error on AS estimation, the noise-induced biases in both the correlation coefficient and the moments of the received signal are reduced using an estimated SNR. The new estimator also includes a new method to select the angular distribution type of the received signal, which requires the use of a nonlinear array structure. The performance of the new method was compared with Spread Root-MUSIC extended to a nonlinear antenna array configuration and with the two-stage approach presented in [13]. Simulations showed that the new technique gives lower NRMSE.

VIII. End notes

aThe conventional array model described in [3] and [11] can be extended to a nonlinear structure by rewriting the associated steering vector. In this case, our problem can be reformulated using a matrix representation. However, this would only complicate the new algorithm by adding a new step for the determination of the steering vector. That is why we consider the correlation coefficient of each antenna branch instead of the array formulation. b For each angular distribution type, there are two LUTs. The first is for the mean AoA, and the second is for the AS. c We rewrite the correlation coefficient for the different antenna pairs as in (8).

Abbreviations

AoA:

angle of arrival

AS:

angular spread

AWGN:

additive white Gaussian noise

COE:

contrast of eigenvalues

COMET:

covariance matching estimation techniques

CRB:

Cramér Rao bound

ESPRIT:

estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques

ESRM:

extended spread Root-MUSIC

LOS:

line-of-sight

LS:

least square

LUT:

look-up table

ML:

maximum likelihood

MUSIC:

multiple signal classification

NLOS:

Non-LOS

NRMSE:

normalized mean square error

SIMO:

single input-multiple output

SNR:

signal-to-noise ratio

TLS:

total least squares

ULA:

uniform linear array

WLS:

weighted least square

References

  1. Miyoshi K, Uesugi M: U.S. Patent 20020123371A1.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kikuchi S, Sano A, Tsuji H, Miura R: A Novel Approach to Mobile-Terminal Positioning Using Single Array Antenna in Urban Environments. In IEEE VTS-Fall. Volume 58. VTC, Orlando; 2003:1010-1014.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Valaee S, Champagne B, Kabal P: Parametric localization of distributed sources. IEEE Trans Sig Process 1995,43(9):2144-2153. 10.1109/78.414777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Meng Y, Stoica P, Wong KM: Estimation of the directions of arrival of spatially dispersed signals in array processing. IEEE Proc Inst Electron Eng Radar Sonar Navig 1996,143(1):1-9. 10.1049/ip-rsn:19960170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bengtsson M, Ottersten B: Low-complexity estimators for distributed sources. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2000,48(8):2185-2194. 10.1109/78.851999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bengtsson M, Ottersten B: A generalization of weighted subspace fitting to full-rank models. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2001,49(5):1002-1012. 10.1109/78.917804

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. Shahbazpanahi S, Valaee S, Bastani MH: Distributed source localization using ESPRIT algorithm. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2001, 49: 2169-2178. 10.1109/78.950773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Shahbazpanahi S, Valaee S, Gershman AB: A covariance fitting approach to parametric localization of multiple incoherently distributed sources. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2004,52(3):592-600. 10.1109/TSP.2003.822352

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  9. Trump T, Ottersten B: Estimation of nominal direction of arrival and angular spread using an array of sensors. IEEE Trans Sig Process 1996,45(1):57-69.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Trump T, Ottersten B: Estimation of nominal direction of arrival and angular spread using an array of sensors. Sig Process 1996, 50: 57-69. 10.1016/0165-1684(96)00003-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Ottersten B, Stoica P, Roy R: Covariance matching estimation techniques for array signal processing, Digit. Sig Process 1998,8(3):185-210.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Li G, Xu J, Peng Y, Xia X: A low-complexity estimator for incoherently distributed sources with narrow or wide spread angles. Sig Process 2007,87(5):1058-1065. 10.1016/j.sigpro.2006.09.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Souden M, Affes S, Benesty J: A two-stage approach to estimate the angles of arrival and the angular spreads of locally scattered sources. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2008,56(5):1968-1983.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  14. Bousnina I, Stéphenne A, Affes S, Samet A: Performance of a New Low-Complexity Angular Spread Estimator in the Presence of Line-Of-Sight. IEEE Wireless Communications and Network Conference 2008, 231-236.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Jin Y, Friedlander B: Detection of distributed sources using sensor Arrays. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2004,52(6):1537-1548. 10.1109/TSP.2004.827196

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. Abdi A, Kaveh M: A space-time correlation model for multi-element antenna systems in mobile fading channels. IEEE J Select Areas Commun 2002,20(3):550-560. 10.1109/49.995514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Zetterberg P: Mobile Cellular Communications with Base Station Antenna Arrays: Spectrum Efficiency, Algorithms and Propagation Models. Ph.D. Thesis, Signal Processing Department of Signals, Sensors and Systems, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Spiegel MR: Schaum's Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables. McGraw-Hill, USA; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kaouri K: Left-Right Ambiguity Resolution of a Towed Array Sonar. PhD. Thesis, Somerville College, University of Oxford; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hawkes M, Nehorai A: Acoustic vector-sensor beamforming and capon direction estimation. IEEE Trans Sig Process 1998,46(9):2291-2304. 10.1109/78.709509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu BC, Lin KH, Chen JY: Ricean K-factor Estimation in Cellular Communications Using Kolmogorov-Smirnov Statistic, APCC '06. Asia-Pacifc Conference on Communications 2006, 1-5.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Azemi G, Senadji B, Boashash B: Ricean K-factor estimation in mobile communication systems. IEEE Commun Lett 2004,8(10):550-560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chen Y, Beaulieu NC: Maximum likelihood estimation of the K-factor in ricean fading channels. IEEE Commun Lett 2005,9(12):1040-1042. 10.1109/LCOMM.2005.1576581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tepedelenlioglu C, Abdi A, Giannakis GB: The Ricean K-factor: estimation and performance analysis. IEEE Trans Wirel Commun 2003,2(4):799-810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Tepedelenlioglu C, Abdi A, Giannakis GB, Kaveh M: Performance Analysis of Moment-Based Estimators for the k Parameter of The Rice Fading Distribution. IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing ICASSP' 01 2001, 4: 2521-2524.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Bakkali M, Stéphenne A, Affes S: Generalized Moment-Based Method for SNR Estimation. IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference, WCNC 2007, 2226-2230.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Abdi A, Tepedelenlioglu C, Kaveh M, Giannakis G: On the estimation of the K parameter for the rice fading distribution. IEEE Commun Lett 2001,5(3):92-94. 10.1109/4234.913150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Stéphenne A, Bellili F, Affes S: Moment-Based SNR Estimation for SIMO Wireless Communication Systems Using Arbitrary QAM. Proceedings of 41st Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, ACSSC 2007, 601-605.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Pauluzzi D, Beaulieu N: A comparison of SNR estimation techniques for the AWGN channel. IEEE Trans Commun 2000, 48: 1681-1691. 10.1109/26.871393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Gao P, Tepedelenlioglu C: SNR estimation for non-constant modulus Constellations. IEEE Trans Sig Process 2005,53(3):865-870.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  31. Belloni F, Richter A, Koivunen V: Extension of Root-MUSIC to Non-ULA Array Configurations, Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing. ICASSP 2006 Proceedings 2006, 4: 897-900.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Stéphenne A, Champagne B: Effective multi-path vector channel simulator for antenna array systems. IEEE Trans Vehicul Technol 2000,49(6):2370-2381. 10.1109/25.901906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Stéphenne A: U.S. Patent 20070287385A1.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This article was presented in part at the IEEE Wireless Communications and Network Conference [14] and in the U.S. Patent Application no. 20070287385A1 [33].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Inès Bousnina.

Additional information

VII. Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bousnina, I., Stéphenne, A., Affes, S. et al. A new low-complexity angular spread estimator in the presence of line-of-sight with angular distribution selection. EURASIP J. Adv. Signal Process. 2011, 88 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-6180-2011-88

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1687-6180-2011-88

Keywords