Joint constant-envelope waveform and receiver design for MIMO radar in the presence of clutter

Aiming to improve the detection performance of colocated multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar in the presence of strong clutter, we addressed the joint optimization problem of the waveform and receiver based on maximizing signal to clutter plus noise ratio (SCNR). Considering that practical radar systems employ constant envelope signals, we also imposed a constant envelope constraint on the waveform. During the optimizations, we divided the joint design problem into two steps, and proposed an algorithm for the design of the constant envelope waveform based on semi-definite relaxation (SDR) and Gaussian randomizations. Numerical simulations show that the proposed algorithm converges with increasing SCNR. Moreover, compared with the optimal waveform under the energy constraint, the SCNR loss is negligible. Finally, the capability of adaptive clutter suppression and improved detection performance of the proposed algorithm is clearly demonstrated. ©, 2014, Chinese Institute of Electronics. All right reserved.