Direction of Arrival Estimation Using a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output Radar with Applications to Automobiles

The thesis at hand investigates the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar system. The application of MIMO radars in automobiles is studied. A MIMO radar consists of several transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antennas. We focus on a time division multiplexed (TDM) MIMO radar with colocated Tx and Rx antennas. The motivation is the use of a radar as a security system in automotive applications, e.g. to identify a dangerous situation and react automatically. Security systems must be very reliable. Hence, besides a good estimation of the distance and velocity, a high performance in DOA estimation is necessary. This is a demanding task, since only a small number of antennas is used and the radar is limited to a small geometrical size. Compared to the corresponding Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) radar, a MIMO radar with colocated antennas can achieve a higher accuracy in DOA estimation due to its larger virtual aperture. Therefore it is a promising technique for the use in automobiles. The obtained results of this thesis enable us to find optimal TDM schemes which yield a very high DOA accuracy for targets which are stationary as well as for targets which are moving relative to the radar system. The results are not confined to MIMO radars in automobiles, but can be used in other applications as well.