Robust minimum variance multiple-input multiple-output radar beamformer

A robust minimum variance (MV) beamforming approach is proposed for improving the robustness of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar against the mismatches of the steering vector and the finite sample effects. In contrast to existing robust MV beamformers (RMVBs), the proposed RMVB utilises a specific structured model of virtual steering vector (also named transmit–receive steering vector) of MIMO radar rather than the commonly used unstructured model in phased-array radar. The basic idea of the proposed RMVB is to estimate the desired transmit and receive steering vectors under two quadratic constraints. To solve this problem, an iterative algorithm is developed. Simulations are provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.