Highly Efficient MIMO-OFDM Imaging Using Shared Transmission Bandwidth

Advantages

  • Enables simultaneous multi-antenna radar transmission within shared bandwidth
  • Avoids the need for TDM or FDM, improving both temporal and spectral efficiency
  • Uses independent OFDM signals for precise, interference-free imaging
  • Demonstrated in simulations to deliver robust, high-resolution MIMO radar images

Summary

Conventional radar imaging systems rely on time or frequency division multiplexing (TDM/FDM) to separate signals from multiple antennas. While effective, these methods limit the radar’s ability to fully utilize bandwidth and slow down the imaging process especially in crowded spectral environments.

This new approach uses orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals with slight frequency offsets across multiple transmit antennas to enable simultaneous radar signal transmission in the same time and frequency window. The system combines matched filtering and back-projection to accurately reconstruct images while maintaining orthogonality between signals. Simulation results show successful detection and imaging of one or more targets even in interference-heavy conditions making this technology ideal for advanced radar, spectrum-sharing systems, and next-generation communication-integrated radar.

This simulation result compares radar imaging outputs from two transmit antennas using OFDM signals with small frequency offsets. Subfigures (a) and (b) show individual antenna results, while (c) displays the combined image. Despite shared bandwidth and simultaneous transmission, the method produces clean, separable, and accurate imaging validating the technique’s spectral and temporal efficiency.

Desired Partnerships

  • License
  • Sponsored Research
  • Co-Development
Patent Information: