TST-MUSIC for joint DOA-delay estimation

In this paper, a multiple signal classification (MUSIC)-based approach known as the time-space-time MUSIC (TST-MUSIC) is proposed to jointly estimate the directions of arrival (DOAs) and the propagation delays of a wireless multiray channel. The MUSIC algorithm for the DOA estimation is referred to as the spatial-MUSIC (S-MUSIC) algorithm. On the other hand, the temporal-MUSIC (T-MUSIC), which estimates the propagation delays, is introduced as well. Making use of the space-time characteristics of the multiray channel, the proposed algorithm-in a tree structure-combines the techniques of temporal filtering and of spatial beamforming with three one dimensional (1-D) MUSIC algorithms, i.e., one S-MUSIC and two T-MUSIC algorithms. The incoming rays are thus grouped, isolated, and estimated. At the same time, the pairing of the estimated DOA's and delays is automatically determined. Furthermore, the proposed approach can resolve the incoming rays with very close DOAs or delays, and the number of antennas required by the TST-MUSIC algorithm can be made less than that of the incoming rays.