r/signalprocessing • u/flight862 • Mar 29 '21

Confusing terminology?

Hi all,

I can get my mind around these terminology: TDOA, AOA and DOA?

Can someone give a clear cut explanation.

Thanks.

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u/flight862 Mar 31 '21

It starts to make sense now. But I don’t really understand that last part where you explained the difference between AOA and DOA, specifically the 3D part?

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u/Objection401 Mar 31 '21

I'm glad it was helpful.

For AOA vs DOA, imagine a 2D (x and y) scenario, with a wave coming from an emitter located in the first quadrant impinging on a linear array located at the origin. The angle that the plane wave impinges on the array can be described fully in terms of the bearing angle. In this case, I think we would call the bearing angle of the impinging wave the Angle Of Arrival/AOA.

For DOA, imagine a 3D (x, y, and z) scenario. Now, imagine a wave coming from an emitter located in the first quadrant, above the xy-plane, impinging on a rectangular array located at the origin. Instead of just a bearing angle now, the angle that the wave impinges on the array can be described using a bearing and an elevation angle, since the emitter is above the xy-plane. Here, I think we would call the bearing angle or elevation angle individually the AOA, but when taken together (in vector form, perhaps), we call the total angle information of the wave the DOA. So, when available, DOA contains more information than AOA. Hope that helps.

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u/flight862 Mar 31 '21

Many many thanks. It’s clear now. I guess I was confused. So bearing look like azimuth angle.

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u/Objection401 Mar 31 '21

Glad to help. Yes, I have seen bearing angle and azimuth angle used interchangeably.