Coherent Mimo Radar and Waveform Diversity

Abstract

Multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) radar technology has gained considerable attention, from both theorists and practitioners, in the past decade due to its capability to expand radar system functionality and open previously unexplored design space. This work seeks to provide a basic understanding of coherent MIMO radar technology, the performance enhancements that can be attained by using the technology, and the associated drawbacks involved in operating a coherent MIMO radar. Attention is paid to achieve the required waveform orthogonality for a MIMO radar system, and several operating concepts are presented and described. Radar basics are discussed first, followed by a description of the MIMO radar concept. Examples of radar applications that may benefit from the application of MIMO radar are presented. Methods for achieving waveform orthogonality in practical MIMO radar systems are described, and the performance tradeoffs involved in implementing these operation modes are discussed. Information on general radar waveforms, and their suitability for use in a MIMO radar system, is provided. Two examples of MIMO radar systems are discussed, with special emphasis placed on the benefit obtained by applying MIMO radar technology.