Angle of Arrival Estimation Using SRS in 5G NR Uplink Scenarios

TL;DR

This paper investigates AoA estimation techniques in 5G uplink scenarios using SRS, combining simulations and real measurements with a dedicated testbed to evaluate algorithm performance.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive experimental setup and compares multiple AoA algorithms in realistic 5G environments, including practical measurements and ray tracing simulations.

Findings

AoA algorithms like MUSIC and ESPRIT are effective in 5G Uplink scenarios.

Simulation results closely match real measurements, validating the models.

The testbed demonstrates practical feasibility of AoA estimation in open environments.

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation techniques in 5G environments, using the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) in Uplink scenarios both in simulations and with actual measurements. Leveraging 5G capabilities, we investigate AoA algorithms for single-base station positioning. The study includes simulations and practical tests on a developed dedicated testbed featuring a base station equipped with a three-element Uniform Linear Array (ULA), considering Line of Sight conditions in an open environment. The testbed, employing Ettus E312 as the transmitter and Ettus N310 as the receiver, details waveform structures and reception processes. Additionally, our study examines the performance of Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation algorithms, such as Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC), Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariant Techniques (ESPRIT), and Joint Angle and Delay Estimation (JADE) ESPRIT. A MATLAB ray tracing propagation model of the environment where the measurements are conducted, has been constructed. Simulation results using this model are presented, along with the actual measurements. The obtained results affirm the effectiveness of our implementation.