Performance analysis of dual‐function multiple‐input multiple‐output radar‐communications using frequency hopping waveforms and phase shift keying signalling

Abstract A signal embedding scheme into the emission of multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) frequency hopping (FH) radar is analysed. In this scheme, the phase shift keying (PSK) communication symbols are multiplied with the frequency hops in fast‐time, resulting in dual‐function radar‐communication (DFRC) waveforms. The authors examine the impact of PSK symbol embedding on the ambiguity function (AF) and power spectral density (PSD) and show that modulation of the radar pulse can benefit the radar functionality. The effect of PSK symbol embedding on the radar target detection performance of the DFRC system is delineated. The authors’ analyses show that the use of the DFRC waveforms enhances target detection performance. The authors also provide the symbol error rates (SERs) corresponding to different phase constellations at the communication receiver and address the practical data transfer rates that can be achieved with the underlying embedding scheme.