MIMO Radar Waveform Constraints for GMTI

Abstract

Ground moving-target indication (GMTI) provides both an opportunity and challenge for coherent multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar. MIMO techniques can improve a radar's angle estimation and the minimum detectable velocity (MDV) for a target. However, the challenge of clutter mitigation places significant constraints on MIMO radar waveforms. In this paper, the loss of target return because of clutter mitigation (signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss) is the driving performance metric. The ideal, orthogonal repeated-pulse waveform is shown not to exist. Pulse-to-pulse time-varying waveforms, such as Doppler-division multiple access (DDMA), are shown to offer SNR loss performance approaching ideal MIMO systems.