OFDM radar waveform design with sparse modeling and correlation optimization

Large time-bandwidth product waveform diversity design is a challenging topic in multiple-input multiple-output radar high-resolution imaging because existing methods usually can generate only two large time-bandwidth product waveforms. This paper proposes a new low peak-to-average ratio (PAR) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing chirp waveform diversity design through randomly subchirp modulation. This method can easily yield over two orthogonal large time-bandwidth product waveforms. More waveforms means that more degrees-of-freedom can be obtained for the system. The waveform performance is evaluated by the ambiguity function. It is shown that the designed waveform has the superiorities of a large time-bandwidth product which means high range resolution and low transmit power are allowed for the system, almost constant time-domain and frequency-domain modulus, low PAR and no range-Doppler coupling response in tracking moving targets.