An improved sparse array design for improving DOA estimation performance under mutual coupling effect

doi:10.1016/j.aeue.2026.156215

An improved sparse array design for improving DOA estimation performance under mutual coupling effect

2026-01-13

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DOI：10.1016/j.aeue.2026.156215

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This paper proposes a novel nested array (IAMDNA) by defining the positions of array elements through a special subarray design. This array can maintain the degrees of freedom (DOF) at a better level while greatly reducing the mutual coupling effect of the array. The paper presents closed-form expressions for the sensor positions and their corresponding DOFs in the novel nested array structure. Furthermore, through rigorous proof, the optimal array position expression for a specific number of sensors is derived. Array structure analysis and numerical simulation results show that, without considering array mutual coupling effects, the array’s estimation performance depends only on the DOFs. Based on this, the estimation accuracy of IAMDNA is slightly inferior to that of the comparison array. However, once the mutual coupling effect that must be considered in practical applications is introduced, the estimation accuracy of the IAMDNA array is significantly better than that of the comparison array, achieving a performance reversal. In conclusion, the physical structure of the IAMDNA array is sparser, which enables it to maintain excellent DOF while having greater practical application capabilities to resist mutual coupling effects.

An improved sparse array design for improving DOA estimation performance under mutual coupling effect

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