Optimization of the Arrangement of Antenna

Elements of the Ku-band MIMO Radar

2021 IEEE Conference of Russian Young Researchers in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (ElConRus) | 978-1-6654-0476-1/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ElConRus51938.2021.9396418

Yury M. Meleshin Ekaterina O. Romanova Anastasiya A. Zatonskaya

Computer Engineering Institute
National Research University
of Electronic Technology “MIET”
Moscow, Russian Federation
kykymberr@gmail.com
Ilya A. Kuzmin
Computer Engineering Institute
National Research University
of Electronic Technology “MIET”
Moscow, Russian Federation
Computer Engineering Institute Computer Engineering Institute
National Research University National Research University
of Electronic Technology “MIET” of Electronic Technology “MIET”
Moscow, Russian Federation Moscow, Russian Federation
Artem A. Airapetian
Computer Engineering Institute
National Research University
of Electronic Technology “MIET”
Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract—CW MIMO radar technologies are actively − Center frequency: 14 GHz;

developing in the field of small-size front detection radars (ADAS
systems, computer vision, etc.). In such systems, the problem of
optimal location of the receiving and transmitting elements is
urgent, both from the point of view of the formation of the
necessary virtual antenna array, and from the point of view of
achieving the best spatial blocking of the signal penetrating from
the transmitting to the receiving elements. This article presents
the results of a study of the optimal arrangement of elements for
a Ku-band MIMO radar of 16 Rx and 32 Tx elements. The
results obtained allow us to conclude that it is possible to
implement this system with a virtual array of 19 by 38 cm and a
spatial blocking factor of more than 65 dB.
Keywords—MIMO Radar; antenna array; virtual antenna
array; CW Radar
I. INTRODUCTION
MIMO (multiple input - multiple output) radars [1-3] are
used to increase spatial resolution and improve detection
performance. Their main difference from the well-known
phased array radars is the use of different mutually orthogonal
signals in each of the transmit and receive channels. When
analyzing the characteristics of MIMO radars, one of the basic
concepts is a virtual antenna array, the directional properties of
which determine the angular resolution of the system. The use
of a multichannel system leads to the receipt in the receivers of
reflected signals from the target for various signals, which is
equivalent to an increase in the number of elements in the
antenna array and makes it possible to increase the angular
resolution of the radar. The optimal location of the elements
allows not only to change the characteristics of the virtual
antenna array, but also to achieve the best spatial blocking of
the signal penetrating from the transmitting to the receiving
elements, which is extremely important for ensuring
continuous operation [4].
This paper presents the results of studying the configuration
of the arrangement of MIMO radar elements under the
following initial conditions [5]:
− angular resolution (azimuthal angle and polar angle):
1.5 by 3 degrees ( ∆ ( , ) );
− sector of work by the azimuthal and polar angle ±60
degrees ( ).
− ensuring the spatial blocking of the signal that
penetrates from transmitting to receiving elements,
which is necessary for continuous operation.
II. THEORY
A. Calculation of a virtual antenna array
The virtual antenna array (VAA) is formed on the principle
of repeating the receiving antenna array at the points where the
transmitting elements are located. The minimum geometric
dimensions of the VAA were obtained, based on the
requirements for angular resolution:
51° ∙
( , ) =
2 ∙ ∆ ( , )
Angular resolution (azimuthal angle and polar angle) 1.5 by
3 degrees correspond to the minimum dimensions of VAA
36.38 by 18.19 cm. The maximum step between elements VAA
is calculated taking into account the suppression of the
diffraction maximum by the directivity pattern of a single
radiator (value θ ):
≤ ,
sin +
Under the above initial conditions, d"#$ is 1.17 cm.
In accordance with the restrictions described above, and in
view of the convenience of designing modules, the number of
channels of which is a multiple of 2 ^ n, where n is a natural

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number, the optimal configuration of the VAA is in the form of
a rectangular equidistant antenna array of 16 by 32 elements
(512 virtual elements). The division into 32 transmitting and 16
receiving elements was chosen in view of the fact that an
increase in the number of receiving elements will lead to a
significant increase in the data flow between the digitizing
module and the central computer of the system. This
configuration can be structurally implemented in various ways;
within the framework of this study, three options for placing
the receiving and transmitting modules, presented in Fig. 1, are
considered.
Fig. 1. Options for the location of the receiving and transmitting elements.
The advantages of configuration "a" include the
convenience of linear arrangement of modules and the
possibility of using one microwave layer in the design of a
printed circuit board, as well as the absence of restrictions on
the height of the modules. In this case, it becomes difficult to
design an antenna array due to the small inter-element distance
between the radiators within each of the linear arrays.
When using configurations "b" and "c", the greatest
difficulty is the need for close placement of elements in two-
layer receiving ("b" and "c") and transmitting ("b") modules.
Despite this, the advantage of configuration "c" is the large
distance between the transmitting elements, in connection with
which it is possible to use high-power elements, and it is also
easier to implement heat removal from the transmitting
channels when designing the transmitting modules. Also, in
configurations "a" and "b" the total area occupied by the
antenna elements is significantly less compared to
configuration "c".
In the presented project, it is planned to use low-power
transmitting elements, and it is also important to have the
smallest nomenclature of components, therefore the
configuration "a" was chosen as the optimal one.
B. Calculation of requirements for spatial signal blocking
One of the important tasks of this work was to ensure the
required minimum level of spatial blocking of the signal
between the transmitting and receiving elements to ensure the
possibility of continuous operation. This requirement depends
on two main quantities: the dynamic range and the minimum
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sensitivity of the receiving device. Due to the fact that in the
MIMO radar each receiving channel is digitized independently,
these parameters are directly determined by the characteristics
of one receiving channel. In this case, the dynamic range of the
receiving path is 75 dB, while the minimum sensitivity is -98
dBm. Therefore, taking into account the margin of 2 significant
bits (12 dB), the array configuration should provide such a
blocking so that the total signal power at the input of each
receiving element for each receiving module is no more than -
35 dBm. This requirement will be the main one for
electrodynamic modeling.
III. ELECTRODYNAMIC MODELING
To check the level of spatial suppression, electrodynamic
modeling of the receiving and transmitting arrays was carried
out, the configuration of their arrangement was described
earlier. As a single antenna element, a previously developed
turnstile emitter was used. To provide additional locking, a
special side was designed and introduced into the design,
separating the receiving and transmitting parts of the radar. A
general view of the radar antenna web is shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. General view of the radar antenna strip.
According to the results presented, it can be seen that the
entire antenna sheet occupies an area of 30 by 19 cm with a
VAA size of 19 by 38 cm.
It is known that the output power of each radiator is 30
dBm, and all signals emitted are orthogonal. Based on this, the
calculation of the received power at each receiving element
was calculated as follows:
1. The complex transmission ratio between each transmitter
and one receiver was calculated.
2. The obtained coefficients were multiplied by the output
power of each radiator with a random initial phase.
The received power at each receiving emitter was the main
criterion, which was used to further optimize the location of the
receiving array and the geometric structure of the dividing
bead. The obtained values of the total power for the extreme
and central receiving channels are shown in Fig. 3

Fig. 3. Spatial suppression.
The presented data show that the received power on the
receiving channels does not exceed -35 dBm, which
corresponds to a spatial suppression of 65 dB relative to the
power of one transmitter.
IV. CONCLUSIONS
This paper shows the results of a study devoted to
optimizing the location of the antenna elements of a MIMO
Ku-band radar. The main stages of calculating the radar
antenna fabric and the patterns of obtaining its structure are
shown.
The resulting structure of 32 transmitting and 16 receiving
elements is located on an area of 30 by 19 cm, while the virtual
antenna array consists of 512 elements, has dimensions of 19
by 38 cm, a scanning sector of ± 60 degrees and an angular
resolution in azimuth and elevation is less than 1.5 by 3
degrees, respectively.
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The results of electrodynamic modeling showed a spatial
suppression between the transmitting and receiving antennas of
more than 65 dB in relation to the power of one transmitting
element, which is sufficient to implement a continuous mode of
operation past the radar.
Further research will be directed to the issues of
experimental development of the presented antenna
configuration, as well as a more detailed study of the problems
associated with the continuous operation of the radar.
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