Instantaneous DoA Estimation Using Poynting Vector and a Vector Sensor

The direction of arrival (DoA) estimation performance of a vector sensor using the instantaneous Poynting vector is evaluated in relation to the realized element patterns of the vector sensor. Up to six amplitudes, one amplitude per field component of the impinging wave, are measured in the vector sensor in a time instance and yield a DoA estimate via the instantaneous Poynting vector based on the direction of maximum incoming power. Proportional amplitude readings with respect to the impinging fields are necessary to correctly estimate the angular coordinates of the impinging signal, making the study of element pattern anisotropy in the vector sensor critical for the DoA estimation error.