Experimental Verification of Multiple-input Multiple Output (MIMO) Beamforming Capabilities Using a Time-division Coherent MIMO Radar

Abstract : Recently, there has been increasing interest from the research community in multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) architectures for a variety of radar applications. We are interested in clarifying the angle estimation accuracy of coherent or co-located MIMO radar to gain an accurate understanding of its potential benefits. The theoretical two-way antenna radiation patterns are derived for three configurations of a linear array: a phased array configuration, a MIMO-1 configuration using orthogonal waveform transmission on all elements, and a MIMO-2 configuration using orthogonal waveform transmission on the two end elements. Field experimental results obtained with an 8-element X-band linear array time-division radar and trihedral targets are discussed. Phased array radar data obtained with a Mixed Experiments and Simulations Approach (MESA) are also discussed. It is found that the experimental mainbeam patterns match the theoretical patterns. MIMO-1 is shown to have the same two-way radiation pattern as that of a phased array radar configuration. Compared to MIMO-1 and phased array, MIMO-2 has enhanced angle estimation accuracy, lower gain and higher sidelobes, while only requiring two orthogonal waveforms on transmit.

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