Benefits of a Distributed Coherent MIMO Radar from the Perspective of Search Radar Range Equation

Search radar range equations for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and single-input multiple-output (SIMO) radar systems are derived to compare their radar sensitivities to receiver noise. Based on the equations, a simple formula for calculating the sensitivity improvement of the MIMO radar over the SIMO radar is derived. Accordingly, the formula indicates that the sensitivity of the distributed coherent MIMO radar, where all transmit sub arrays are distributed to realize a large aperture, is superior to that of the SIMO radar. Three examples are presented to highlight the advantages of the distributed coherent MIMO radar: longer detection range, low radar-cross-section target detection, and reduced average transmitted power.