MIMO Radar Transmit Beampattern Synthesis via Waveform Design for Target Localization

Abstract

The problem of transmit beampattern synthesis in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radar for target localization is investigated in this paper. By appropriately designing the cross correlation matrix of the transmitted signal waveforms, we can focus the transmit energy into the sector(s) of interest where targets are likely to be located. The proposed energy focusing approach is capable of enhancing the intensity of signals which are reflected from the targets and hence the preferable performance of target localization can be attained. Comparing with the existing energy focusing techniques, our new method realizes a desired pattern via designing the waveform cross correlation matrix rather than the transmit weight vector. Moreover, it does not impose additional transmit power constraints or require a prescribed beampattern to be approximated. Simulation results demonstrate that an improvement of the target localization performance can be offered by the proposed MIMO radar transmit beampattern design technique compared with existing approaches.