Experimental Investigation of AoA Estimation and Antenna Calibration With 5G NR SignalsUsing USRP Devices
Xhafa, Alda (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Telecomunicació i Enginyeria de Sistemes)
Fabra, Fran (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Telecomunicació i Enginyeria de Sistemes)
Egea-Roca, Daniel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Telecomunicació i Enginyeria de Sistemes)
López Salcedo, José Antonio (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Telecomunicació i Enginyeria de Sistemes)
Seco Granados, Gonzalo (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Telecomunicació i Enginyeria de Sistemes)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	The advent of 5G technology has significantly advanced the capability of centimeter-level positioning, with angle of arrival (AoA) estimation emerging as a key technique to achieve this level of accuracy. This article presents a software receiver based on universal software radio peripheral (USRP) devices, designed for precise Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation using 5G new radio (NR) signals, especially in challenging environments. The proposed receiver addresses critical issues, such as hardware and antenna calibration, synchronization, and signal processing, enabling accurate angle estimation in both outdoor and indoor environments. The study explores the impact of hardware imperfections, antenna errors, and environmental factors, including multipath propagation, on angle estimation accuracy. Our approach combines AoA estimation with calibration techniques, demonstrating the feasibility of delivering reliable, high-precision location-based services with 5G signals. Through a combination of simulation and real-world experiments, we assess the performance of the system in scenarios with and without multipath interference, including the influence of reflectors on AoA measurements. The results provide a valuable foundation for advancing the understanding and implementation of precise AoA estimation and calibration using 5G New Radio (NR) signals and Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) devices.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2023-152820OB-I00 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PDC2023-145858-I00
Note:	Altres ajuts: ICREA Academia
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Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	5G ; Angle of arrival (AOA) ; Array calibration ; Coherent phase ; Multipath ; SDR ; Synchronization
Published in:	IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, Vol. 74 (May 2025) , ISSN 1557-9662

DOI: 10.1109/TIM.2025.3569347

Available from: 2026-05-31 Postprint

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Engineering > Signal Processing for Communications and Navigation (SPCOMNAV)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles