FMCW Based Mimo Imaging Radar for Maritime Navigation

The berthing of large ships in inclement weather with frequently poor visibility presents a challenge. To assist with this application, it may be beneficial to utilise standard radar imaging. Whilst this may be achieved using a mechanically-scanned system, reliability, cost and weight issues, coupled with the need to primarily image only a 120 sector on the port and starboard of the ship, make phased array radar an attractive possibility. Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar, with its ability to enhance the resolution available from a given number of elements, is particularly suited to a short-range application such as this in which there is sufficient time to switch between antenna elements as an alternative to more complex implementations. This paper describes a system of this nature from its basic architecture to development and validation, including some artefacts of the particular topology employed.