An Octagonal Antenna Array Algorithm for Low-Altitude Sources Detection

• Conghui Cao,
• Zhiming Zhan,
• T. Aaron Gulliver,

Vol. 20, No. 2, February 28, 2026
10.3837/tiis.2026.02.010, Download Paper (Free):

• signal detection
• Antenna array
• Frequency estimation
• Direction of Arrival (DOA)
• low-altitude sources

Abstract

The rapid increase in low-altitude sources has created an urgent need for reliable, long-range passive detection systems. This paper presents a new passive detection algorithm for low-altitude sources operating in the radio frequency domain. At its core is a uniquely designed octagonal antenna array consisting of identically parameterized but differentially oriented elements, which is intended to capture signal characteristics for improved processing. A pre-processing method, developed through the analysis of common signal structures such as WiFi, is employed to remove interference and clutter, and a matched filter is used for signal detection and frequency estimation. The direction of arrival (DOA) for a low-altitude source is determined based on the received signal strength and antenna radiation pattern. Performance results are derived from real indoor and outdoor experiments. These results validate the accuracy of the proposed method for detecting and estimating the DOA of low-altitude sources over long distances, providing a practical and effective solution for modern surveillance challenges.

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