A PARAFAC estimator for MIMO radar under direction-dependent mutual coupling

Abstract

Among the various research branches in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar, Direction finding is an interesting topic and has attracted extensive concerns. However, many previous strategies are only effective to deal with scenarios without model error, such as well-calibrated sensor array, which is unrealistic in practice. This paper revisits the direction finding issue in a bistatic MIMO radar, in which the direction-dependent mutual coupling (MC) effect in both the transmitting array and the receiving array are considered. An estimator based on parallel factor (PARAFAC) decomposition is introduced. Benefit from the fact that the multidimensional structure of the tensor measurement can be explored, the proposed PARAFAC estimator can offer closed-form solution to direction finding without additional pairing calculation, so it is much more accurate and efficient than the state-of-the-art spectrum search method and the rotational invariance algorithm. The improved PARAFAC approach is mathematically analyzed in detail, Several computer trials are carried out to show the theoretical advantages.