Abstract:

Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radar is able to form the Nyquist virtual array at the receiving end, expanding the effective aperture of the radar system. The angular measurement accuracy and the jamming suppression performance of the virtual aperture MIMO radar are discussed, when the transmit or receive array is set to be sparse. Analysis shows that, thanks to the formation of the Nyquist virtual array, the MIMO radar can obtain narrower beamwidth and higher angular measurement accuracy when compared with the conventional phased array radar. When inflicted with repeater jamming, narrower beam makes it easier for the virtual aperture MIMO radar to circumvent mainlobe interference. As to blanket jamming, MIMO radars have the same jamming suppression performance with the conventional phased array radar. In addition, the engineering realizabilities and performance advantages of combining the virtual aperture MIMO radar with the linear frequency modulated continuous wave (LFMCW) signal are discussed.