S. E. Mishchenko1, V. V. Shatskiy2, L. V. Vinnik3, A. V. Litvinov4

1–4  FSUE “Rostov-on-Don Research Institute of Radio Communication” (Rostov-on-Don, Russia)

In direction finding, there is a problem of the angular resolution of several closely spaced sources. One of the possible approaches to solve it is to use the virtual aperture method. In accordance with this method, the distribution of the complex amplitudes of the signals received by the digital antenna array is added to a virtual aperture of a larger size. The resulting distribution makes it possible to obtain a more contrasting direction finding relief. The method is demanding on the value of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the input of the receiving digital antenna array. In this regard, the problem of expanding the range of SNR values at which it is possible to use the virtual opening method arises.

The purpose of the article is to extend the acceptable SNR range at which the virtual aperture method can be applied.

The developed method for synthesizing a virtual antenna array, in contrast to the known ones, provides the angular resolution of closely spaced sources at a low SNR due to preliminary processing of signals in the subarrays.

The practical significance lies in the possibility of using the virtual aperture method in conditions where the noise power exceeds the power of the signal component of the order of 4 dB.

Mishchenko S.E., Shatskiy V.V., Vinnik L.V., Litvinov A.V. Linear virtual antenna array synthesis method with angular superresolution of weak signals. Antennas. 2021. № 6. P. 23–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j03209601-202106-03 (in Russian)

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