DOA Estimation in B5G/6G: Trends and Challenges

• Main Authors: Ruan, N. (Author), Shi, J. (Author), Wang, H. (Author), Wen, F. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2022
• Subjects: 5G mobile communication systems; Array processing; array signal processing; Array signal processing; Communications networks; Direction of arrival; Direction of arrival estimation; DOA estimation; Emerging technologies; massive MIMO; Massive multiple-input multiple-output; Millimeter waves; Millimeter-wave band; MIMO systems; Multiple inputs; Multiple outputs; Next-generation wireless communications; Signal sampling; Spectral efficiencies; Spectrum efficiency
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is the preliminary stage of communication, localiza-tion, and sensing. Hence, it is a canonical task for next-generation wireless communications, namely beyond 5G (B5G) or 6G communication networks. Both massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and millimeter wave (mmW) bands are emerging technologies that can be implemented to increase the spectral efficiency of an area, and a number of expectations have been placed on them for future-generation wireless communications. Meanwhile, they also create new challenges for DOA estimation, for instance, through extremely large-scale array data, the coexistence of far-field and near-field sources, mutual coupling effects, and complicated spatial-temporal signal sampling. This article discusses various open issues related to DOA estimation for B5G/6G communication networks. Moreover, some insights on current advances, including arrays, models, sampling, and algorithms, are provided. Finally, directions for future work on the development of DOA estimation are addressed. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.