High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation

In UAV target localization, the accuracy of time delay estimation is the key to high-precision positioning. However, under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), time delay estimation suffers from serious secondary peak interference and low accuracy, which degrades the positioning accuracy. This paper pro...

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Main Authors: Menghao Sun, Ziang Niu, Xuzhen Zhu, Zijia Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Mathematics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/15/2397
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author Menghao Sun
Ziang Niu
Xuzhen Zhu
Zijia Huang
author_facet Menghao Sun
Ziang Niu
Xuzhen Zhu
Zijia Huang
author_sort Menghao Sun
collection DOAJ
description In UAV target localization, the accuracy of time delay estimation is the key to high-precision positioning. However, under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), time delay estimation suffers from serious secondary peak interference and low accuracy, which degrades the positioning accuracy. This paper proposes an improved time delay estimation algorithm based on generalized quadratic cross-correlation. By introducing exponential operations and Hilbert difference operation, suppressing noise interference, and sharpening the peaks of the signal correlation function, the algorithm improves the estimation accuracy. Through simulation experiments comparing with the generalized cross-correlation and quadratic correlation algorithms, the results show that the improved algorithm enhances the peak of the cross-correlation function, improves the accuracy of estimation, and exhibits better anti-noise performance in low SNR environments, providing a new approach for high-precision time delay estimation in complex signal environments.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2227-7390
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Mathematics
spelling doaj-art-a6ff6dfc8d1c4e45a2ab393569c6a33b2025-08-20T03:36:31ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902025-07-011315239710.3390/math13152397High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-CorrelationMenghao Sun0Ziang Niu1Xuzhen Zhu2Zijia Huang3State Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Networking and Switching Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Multi-Domain Data Collaborative Processing and Control, Xi’an 710068, ChinaIn UAV target localization, the accuracy of time delay estimation is the key to high-precision positioning. However, under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), time delay estimation suffers from serious secondary peak interference and low accuracy, which degrades the positioning accuracy. This paper proposes an improved time delay estimation algorithm based on generalized quadratic cross-correlation. By introducing exponential operations and Hilbert difference operation, suppressing noise interference, and sharpening the peaks of the signal correlation function, the algorithm improves the estimation accuracy. Through simulation experiments comparing with the generalized cross-correlation and quadratic correlation algorithms, the results show that the improved algorithm enhances the peak of the cross-correlation function, improves the accuracy of estimation, and exhibits better anti-noise performance in low SNR environments, providing a new approach for high-precision time delay estimation in complex signal environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/15/2397time delay estimationgeneralized quadratic cross-correlationHilbert difference operationexponential operations
spellingShingle Menghao Sun
Ziang Niu
Xuzhen Zhu
Zijia Huang
High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
Mathematics
time delay estimation
generalized quadratic cross-correlation
Hilbert difference operation
exponential operations
title High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
title_full High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
title_fullStr High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
title_full_unstemmed High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
title_short High-Precision Time Delay Estimation Algorithm Based on Generalized Quadratic Cross-Correlation
title_sort high precision time delay estimation algorithm based on generalized quadratic cross correlation
topic time delay estimation
generalized quadratic cross-correlation
Hilbert difference operation
exponential operations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/15/2397
work_keys_str_mv AT menghaosun highprecisiontimedelayestimationalgorithmbasedongeneralizedquadraticcrosscorrelation
AT ziangniu highprecisiontimedelayestimationalgorithmbasedongeneralizedquadraticcrosscorrelation
AT xuzhenzhu highprecisiontimedelayestimationalgorithmbasedongeneralizedquadraticcrosscorrelation
AT zijiahuang highprecisiontimedelayestimationalgorithmbasedongeneralizedquadraticcrosscorrelation