Waveform Design for Simultaneous MIMO Radar Sensing and Multi-User Communication

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel two-stage joint waveform design framework for multi-antenna Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) systems that simultaneously enable Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar sensing and Multi-User MIMO communication. First, a transmit waveform covariance matrix is designed by solving a convex matrix nearness problem for beampattern synthesis that simultaneously maximizes transmit power in desired directions and minimizes cross-directional correlations, while accommodating independent antenna power constraints and supporting interference suppression through radiation null steering. Second, a waveform conforming to the designed covariance is synthesized while additionally enforcing inter-user interference suppression via the zero-forcing approach and imposing practical implementation constraints, notably limiting the peak-to-average-power-ratio on the individual antenna elements. Simulation results demonstrate that the approach significantly enhances ISAC waveform design flexibility, performance, and computational efficiency compared to the alternative methods in the literature.