Waveform multiplexing using chirp rate diversity for chirp-sequence based MIMO radar systems

Abstract

MIMO radar systems create a large virtual aperture to enhance the angular resolution. As a multiplexing scheme often the time-division multiplexing (TDM) procedure is chosen. The drawbacks are a reduced maximal unambiguously detectable Doppler frequency and the need to correct a phase error in angle estimation for relative radial velocities. To overcome these disadvantages a multiplexing scheme is proposed which uses different chirp rates. Every transmitting antenna is active at the same time but can be distinguished due to the different slopes of the frequency ramps.