Overlapping Sparse MIMO Radar Arrays for Side-Lobe Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radar systems face challenges in achieving a small antenna size, high angular resolution, and effective side-lobe suppression, particularly in MIMO configurations where side-lobe suppression is often limited to the receive direction.
Innovation Solution
A MIMO radar system with overlapping sparse transmit arrays and orthogonal waveforms, combined with a receive array, allows for efficient phase steering and constant illumination of an area of interest, using control circuitry to manage excitation amplitude and phase-fronts for improved side-lobe suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional antenna is used to achieve high angular resolution, then the angular resolution is improved, but the antenna size becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The transmit antenna is divided into multiple sparse transmit arrays, each with fewer elements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high angular resolution through signal processing of multiple arrays rather than requiring a single large antenna array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial dimension (large antenna array) to temporal and signal processing dimensions by using orthogonal waveforms and pulse compression techniques. This allows resolution to be achieved through signal characteristics rather than physical antenna size.
2Length of stationary object
If a MIMO radar configuration is used to minimize antenna length, then the antenna size is reduced, but side-lobe suppression is lost in the transmit direction
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the transmit system are assigned different functions: sparse arrays provide spatial diversity while orthogonal waveforms provide spectral separation. This local specialization allows each component to be optimized for its specific role, achieving both compact size and side-lobe suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple technical approaches into a composite system: MIMO architecture, orthogonal waveforms, and pulse compression are integrated to create a unified solution that achieves side-lobe suppression in both transmit and receive directions while maintaining compact antenna size.
3Measurement precision
If orthogonal waveforms are used in sparse transmit arrays, then angular resolution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies waveform parameters (orthogonality, pulse duration, frequency content) to enable resolution improvement. By carefully selecting and controlling these parameters, the system achieves high angular resolution while managing complexity through systematic parameter optimization rather than architectural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a small antenna size with high angular resolution and side-lobe suppression, providing efficient and constant illumination while maintaining a short reaction time.
Implementation Method 1
The control circuitry is configured to transmit a signal having a waveform by means of the each sparse transmit array
Implementation Method 2
The waveforms of each signal together form an interference pattern, and wherein a sum of all interference patterns of all of the signals illuminate an area of interest
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar system comprising an antenna comprising at least two sparse transmit arrays, each sparse transmit array comprising a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements of each sparse transmit arrays are at least partially overlapping with the antenna elements of the other sparse transmit arrays of the at least two sparse transmit arrays. Further, there is control circuitry connected to the antenna. The control circuitry is configured to transmit a signal having a waveform by means of each sparse transmit array, wherein the waveform of each signal is substantially orthogonal relative to a waveform of each other signal of each other sparse transmit arrays of the at least two sparse transmit arrays.