Monopulse on transmit by means of orthogonal probing signals: Theoretical and experimental validations

Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radars represent a new class of sensors which combine orthogonal waveform transmissions and multichannel designs to improve specific performance of the system. Well known benefits are achieved in terms of either angular resolution, in the coherent MIMO scenario, or higher detection probability, in the statistical MIMO approach. In this paper the authors investigate the properties of the MIMO concept from another perspective. By exploiting the waveform agility characteristic of such systems, the simultaneous transmissions are used to synthesise independent channels which are then combined as for an angular monopulse detector. In fact, leading to a monopulse on transmit configuration. The analysis shows the theoretical improvement, in terms of angular accuracy, achieved by the MIMO array and the experimental results obtained by a monopulse on transmit with a simplified radar set-up.