Relative Angle of Arrival Estimation in Multipath Channels with Omnidirectional Antenna

Accurate site-specific radio propagation characterization, including both the Power Delay Profile (PDP) and Angle of Arrival (AoA), is critical for deploying mobile communication systems. However, conventional methods are inefficient because PDPs measured with an omnidirectional antenna fail to capture the AoA. Consequently, separate, time-consuming measurements using mechanically rotated directional antennas or complex calibrated array antennas are required. This paper proposes a novel and efficient method for simultaneously estimating both PDP and relative AoA using data obtained from a single moving omnidirectional antenna. The proposed technique leverages the phase information inherent in the channel data, specifically by processing the phase difference between spatially adjacent profiles acquired during the antenna's movement. This approach eliminates the need for mechanical rotation or specialized array hardware. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, highlighting its potential to drastically reduce the time and complexity required for comprehensive channel characterization.