ESPRIT-based joint AOA/delay estimation for CDMA systems

In this paper, we present a joint delay/AOA estimator for CDMA systems in a multiuser environment. The algorithm is applicable to space-time channel estimation for space-time processing systems and to location systems that employ hybrid AOA/TOA technology. The estimator is based on a novel formulation of ESPRIT in which the delays and AOAs of each user can be estimated and automatically paired. The estimator avoids the computational burden of a matching, or pairing, procedure and does not require the use of a Fourier transform to aid the estimation of the delays. Further, the algorithm has lower computational complexity than other joint angle/delay estimators. An asymptotic first order error analysis as well as the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) are derived. Simulations are presented to show the performance of the estimator.