A simple efficient algorithm for determining the direction of arrival for a single emitter with unknown polarization

The paper addresses both the problems of estimating DOA from a single array snapshot, and also from a sequence of array snapshots possibly having different polarizations. The principal result is identification of the maximum likelihood estimator of DOA. The associated estimation algorithm is designated as the dual beam scan (DBS) Algorithm. For large signal-to-noise ratios the DBS algorithm is unbiased, and has minimum variance. The DBS computational requirements are modest, and similar to those of conventional monopulse processors. Specifically the eigenanalyses associated with the extended MUSIC algorithm are bypassed.<>