Research on 2-D Sparse MIMO Planar Array Topologies for High-Resolution DOA Estimation

Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation constitutes a critical technology across diverse domains including detection and communication. The approach of using planar arrays with more sensors in DOA estimation has high resolution in detection. Notably, active array architectures such as MIMO configurations employed in DOA estimation offer distinct advantages in passive target detection, with their inherent sum co-array characteristics significantly improving estimation accuracy. Consequently, the development of planar sparse active array configurations emerges as a new research direction for achieving compact system dimensions while maintaining high-resolution performance. This study proposes a new planar sparse MIMO array geometry specifically designed to amplify the benefits of advanced signal processing techniques. Simulations and comparative analyses reveal that when integrated with optimized configurations, the proposed array demonstrates enhanced multi-signal detection capabilities and superior estimation accuracy compared to conventional array architectures, as well as existing sum or difference co-array methodologies.