Dual-Use Smart Antenna Processing: Blind Adaptive Beamforming, GPS, and Vector Sensors

摘要

There were numerous accomplishments in three areas: blind adaptive beamforming, adaptive null steering for GPS, and vector sensor processing. In the area of blind adaptive beamforming, an algorithm was developed for estimating the respective carrier and timing offset of each of a number of co- channel digital communication signals with linear modulation, along with an SINR maximizing beamforming weight vector for each source. In support of anti-jam protection for GPS, an algorithm was developed for canceling jammers AFTER de- spreading the GPS signal from a given satellite. This approach diminishes the data rate provided to the processor that adapts the beamforming, thereby allowing the use of a low-cost microprocessor. This also facilitates the use of the narrowband blind adaptive beamformer described above to cancel jammers. The algorithm was successfully demonstrated with experimental data from a prototype antenna array. The major development in the area of vector sensors was a closed- form algorithm for unambiguous estimation of the azimuth and elevation angle of each of a number of co-channel sources using a small array of vector sensors with large inter-vector sensor spacings for space diversity to combat fading. As listed in Section 3, this research has been extensively published in journals and presented at a number of high-profile conferences on signal processing and communications. This research has also been honored with a best paper award by Raytheon/E-Systems and a best dissertation award. Transitions of this research to Wright Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force base is in progress.