Arrival direction estimation method using an array antenna and DS-CDMA receiver unit using the method

摘要

The present invention relates to an arrival direction estimation method using an array antenna and a DS-CDMA receiver unit using this method. The method produces an accurate estimate of the arrival direction of a desired signal regardless of reception level and high interference. In a DS-CDMA communication system for performing a transmission by a spreading process using a code having a period longer than a symbol length, received signals from an array antenna are subjected to a despreading process by despreading units. A cross-correlation function with time lags of the recieved signals is obtained by inverse-modulating despread output signals by a known symbol in an inverse modulator. An arrival direction of a received signal is estimated by an arrival direction estimation unit based on the cross-correlation function. A beam former combines the despread output signals depending on the arrival direction and outputs an output signal to a channel receiver.