Computationally Efficient Algorithms for Estimating the Angle of Arrival of Helicopters Using Acoustic Arrays

Abstract

Computationally efficient algorithms were developed to estimate the angle of arrival (AOA) of acoustic signals generated by helicopters using acoustic arrays. The data was transformed into the frequency domain, then AOA algorithms based upon both least squares and digital beamforming were evaluated. The algorithms were tested using data collected on a helicopter at Yuma, AZ, in summer 2007. The AOA ground truth data was calculated using global positioning system (GPS) data collected on the helicopter. The algorithms performed well at estimating the azimuth angle of the helicopter, but they could only obtain good elevation angle estimates over limited time intervals. To try to improve the elevation angle estimate, a multipath model was incorporated into the beamforming algorithm.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA507627

Entities

People

  • Geoffrey H. Goldman

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Arrays
  • Acoustic Signals
  • Acoustic Signatures
  • Algorithms
  • Angle Of Arrival
  • Arrays
  • Computational Complexity
  • Doppler Effect
  • Elevation
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Domain
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • Spectra
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.

Technology Areas

  • Space