Co-array weighting in minimum-redundancy arrays for radar image enhancement

The pronounced lobing of minimum-redundancy arrays - a class of thinned arrays - leads to image degradation in radar applications. Co-array weighting is investigated as a possible cure. Different distributions are considered. A comparative study of pattern degradation caused by random phase errors of the individual array elements is conducted. Multiple target detection - a critical aspect of nonlinear array processing - is addressed as well in this context. The potential of the proposed approach is critically assessed by simulation. The findings are confirmed by Ka-band radar experiments performed with a synthetic array.