Implementation and Validation of an Angle of Arrival (AoA) Determination System for Real-time on-board Train Positioning

This paper presents the implementation of an Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation algorithm using Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology as a part of a Smart Train Positioning System (STPS). The STPS takes advantage of the combination of different technologies and techniques, such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the AoA of the Global System for Mobile Communications-Railway (GSM-R) signals, to determine the real time train position. Furthermore, a complete software AoA system simulator has been implemented and used to validate the implementation of the AoA algorithm in the FPGA.