MIMO Radar Antenna Array Using Nested Golomb Ruler for Azimuth Resolution

The patent applies nested-array technology where antenna elements are arranged in nested configurations (e.g., inner array within outer array), allowing the system to achieve the equivalent of a large virtual array using fewer physical elements. The nested structure enables coherent integration of signals from multiple arrays to synthesize a larger aperture, resolving the contradiction between azimuth resolution and number of elements.

The patent transforms the problem from physical space to virtual space through MIMO signal processing. By transmitting orthogonal signals from multiple antennas and processing the received signals, the system creates a virtual array with L×M elements where L and M are the numbers of elements in two separate arrays. This dimensional transformation allows achieving high azimuth resolution with fewer physical antenna elements.

The nested-array configuration allows reusing antenna elements across multiple arrays, reducing the total number of required elements. Instead of deploying L+M separate elements, the nested structure enables achieving the same virtual aperture with fewer physical elements, directly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining azimuth resolution performance.

The patent merges the functions of multiple antenna arrays into a unified MIMO system. By combining the transmitted signals from one array and received signals from another array with orthogonal signaling, the system achieves the computational equivalence of a much larger array without the corresponding increase in manufacturing complexity and cost.

The nested-array architecture places smaller arrays within larger arrays, optimizing the spatial utilization of the device. This nested configuration minimizes the overall device volume by eliminating redundant spaces and overlapping element positions, achieving compact form factor while maintaining the virtual array aperture necessary for high azimuth resolution.

The MIMO technique resolves the device size issue by creating a virtual array in signal space rather than requiring a physically large array. Through orthogonal signaling and signal processing, the system synthesizes a large aperture (L×M virtual elements) without proportionally increasing the physical device dimensions, thus achieving high azimuth resolution in a compact form factor.