Propagation effects on high frequency skywave multiple‐input–multiple‐output radar

Multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) technology has been suggested as an effective tool in overcoming some of the issues that are typically relate to conventional over the horizon radars. Notwithstanding, effects, such as fading and multipath propagations are ever present and cannot be avoided even when using a MIMO configuration. For this reason, a study on the impact of such effects on high frequency (HF) skywave MIMO radars is fundamental for an effective design of such systems. This study aims to study the effects of ionospheric propagation on the performance of the HF MIMO skywave radar. In particular, the relationship between the transmitted signal parameters and the ionospheric variations because of perturbations is highlighted in a suitable signal model. The performance analysis is performed in terms of estimated direction of arrival and loss of virtual array elements.