Performance evaluation of non-uniform sensor spacing in a linear array configuration for MUSIC algorithm

TL;DR

This paper evaluates how non-uniform sensor spacing in a linear array affects the performance of the MUSIC algorithm for estimating the direction of arrival, showing potential improvements over uniform spacing.

Contribution

It introduces and assesses non-uniform sensor spacing arrangements, demonstrating comparable or improved DOA estimation accuracy with fewer sensors.

Findings

Non-uniform spacing can match or outperform uniform spacing in accuracy.

Fewer sensors are needed with non-uniform spacing for similar performance.

Non-uniform arrays can be more efficient in sensor deployment.

Abstract

In this paper, the performance of non-uniform spacing of sensors is evaluated for the MUSIC algorithm which estimates the direction of arrival (DOA) of a narrowband plane wave impinging on an array of sensors. Unlike uniform sensor spacing arrangement, where sensors are equidistant (equal to half the wavelength), we consider non-uniform spacing for the arrangement of sensors, where the distance between consecutive sensors increases progressively. We observe that the non-uniform sensor spacing configuration (with lesser number of sensors) can provide similar or better accuracy in DOA estimation compared to uniform sensor spacing configuration despite more number of sensors at identical array length.