Angular Resolution improvement by conformal array with the 2-D Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm for RADAR

Abstract One of the most demanding requirement of RADAR system is estimation of Direction of arrival (DoA) estimation when two or more objects are very close to each other. It is quite difficult for any ranging and detection system to distinguish between them. Multiple antenna receiver technologies such as array antenna technology have advanced to the point, where they can achieve high angular resolution. Multiple antenna arrays are Planar array and Conformal array.Radiating elements are equally spread over surfaces in planar(URA) and conformal antennas apertures are of curved surface. Main problem with planar arrays is scan angles, are about +/-60 • from broadside.In conformal array, scan angle is about 360 • .This extended scan is very much useful for missiles and high speed air crafts radar, compare to planar array. So this paper checks how conformal array is better for high speed air craft’s radar system for achieving improved angular resolution. To achieve higher resolution in DoA estimation, subspace-based algorithms Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) is used with conformal array. This work focuses on comparing Conformal arrays and Uniform Rectangular arrays for DoA estimation. This paper examines the effect of using the MUSIC algorithm along with two different kinds of receivers to check for noise level and improved DoA resolution. Conformal array receivers shows two closely spaced objects are resolvable with 25 perecent improvement in azimuth angle and 68 perecent in elevation angle over the Uniform Rectangular Array(URA).As the number of array elements increased in conformal array,more accuracy in DOA estimation with reduced grating lobes achieved.The performance of these systems is assessed using computer simulation studies using Matlab. The findings shows conformal multi-array receiver outperforms URA receiver.