A multipath-driven approach to HF geolocation

A method is proposed for HF emitter geolocation and mode group-range estimation when the signal of interest is received via skywave propagation by a uniform linear array (ULA) of antennas at a single site. Ionospheric multipath and the geometrical relationships that constrain such propagation are exploited to derive a new class of estimator for a problem that inherently produces an ambiguous solution when the modes are considered individually. The introduced multipath-driven approach resolves the coning ambiguity and opens up the possibility to perform meaningful HF single site location (SSL) with a ULA. The method is also applicable to reduce estimation errors in traditional HF-SSL systems based on two-dimensional apertures. Field-data gathered in a controlled experiment with known truth is used to validate the method.

► New technique that enables single site location of HF sources propagated by ionosphere on a ULA. ► Exploits multipath and the geometrical relationships of propagation to resolve cone angle ambiguity. ► Fuses the mode cone angles and time delays to jointly estimate source position and channel parameters. ► Approach involves a combination of blind signal processing and super-resolution DOA estimation. ► Field data gathered in an experiment with known ground-truth is used to validate the method.