Maximum likelihood estimation for the sensor position calibration using beacon signals

Abstract

In the radar systems, high-resolution array signal processing algorithms for source localization are sensitive to sensor position errors. In other words, errors in the sensor positions are able to degrade the performances of array signal processing algorithms. This thesis proposes a position calibration method that estimates the true sensor positions using a set of beacon sources in known positions. As the distances between the sensors of the array are longer, the DOAs from the same source are more different. In case of this situation, we generalize the conventional position calibration algorithm. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the potential utility of the proposed calibration method for better accuracy in the array signal processing algorithms.