Design of Optimal Waveforms in MIMO Radar Systems Based on the Generalized Approach to Signal Processing

We consider the problem of waveform design for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems employing the generalized detector that is constructed based on the generalized approach to signal processing in noise. We investigate the case of an extended target and without limiting ourselves to orthogonal waveforms. Instead, we develop a procedure to design the optimal waveform that maximizes the signal-to-interference plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the generalized detector output. The optimal waveform requires a knowledge of both target and clutter statistics. We also develop several suboptimal waveforms requiring knowledge of target statistics only, clutter statistics only, or both. Thus, the transmit waveforms are adjusted based on target and clutter statistics. A model for the radar returns that incorporates the transmit waveforms is developed. The target detection problem is formulated for that model. Optimal and suboptimal algorithms are derived for designing the transmit waveforms under different assumptions regarding the statistical information available to the generalized detector. The performance of these algorithms is illustrated by computer simulation. Key-Words: Generalized detector, additive white Gaussian noise, detection performance, multiple-input multiple-output, signal-to-interference plus-noise ratio (SINR).