MIMO Radar Aperture Optimization

In a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) radar system, two or more transmitters emit independent waveforms, with the resulting reflections received by an array of receivers. Recently, MIMO radar has become a subject of great interest. In part, this interest is due to the potential for MIMO techniques to reduce radar weight and cost, while maintaining performance (as compared with conventional radar approaches). However, the size of these reductions has not yet been quantified. Likewise, a design process that minimizes aperture cost (or weight) has yet to be developed. This report describes a process for designing optimal radar apertures. The process treats the design problem as one of minimizing an objective function under performance constraints. The objective function is based upon a first-order model for the relationship between cost (or weight) and performance, and is derived for systems employing active, element-digitized arrays. A systematic process for optimizing the aperture's design with respect to this objective function is presented, and equations describing the optimal aperture are derived. These equations provide insight into the optimal relationship between various aperture characteristics, such as the number of transmitters, number of receivers, module power level, and virtual array length.