The Design of A Novel Sparse Array Using Two Uniform Linear Arrays considering Mutual Coupling

The sparse arrays using two uniform linear arrays have attracted considerable interest due to the capability of giving analytical expression of sensor location and owning robust direction-of-arrival (DOA) facing strong mutual coupling and sensor failure. In order to achieve the maximum consecutive virtual uniform linear array in difference coarray, in this paper, a design method of a novel sparse array using two uniform linear arrays (NSA-U2) is proposed. We first analyze the relationship between the values of displacement of two subarrays and difference coarray, and then we give the analytical expressions of the displacement and the number of consecutive lags. By discussing the selection of number of subarray sensors, the design of NSA-U2 is completed. Moreover, through choosing a proper compressed interelement spacing, NSA-U2 can be robust to mutual coupling effect. Numerical experiments prove the effectiveness and favorable performance of DOA estimation with mutual coupling.