2-D DOA estimation of multiple signals based on sparse L-shaped array

This paper proposes a novel method for two-dimensional (2-D) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of multiple signals employing a sparse L-shaped array structured by a sparse linear array (SLA), a sparse uniform linear array (SULA) and an auxiliary sensor. In the proposed method, the elevation angles are estimated using the SLA and an improved MUSIC method. The azimuth angles are estimated by two stages. Firstly, the rough azimuth estimates are obtained by a cross-correlation matrix (CCM) of the array received data and the elevation estimates. Secondly, the fine azimuth estimates can be achieved using the SULA and the rough azimuth estimates. The proposed method can achieve automatic pairing of the 2-D DOA estimates. Simulation results show that our approach outperforms the existing methods based on L-shaped array.