Initial results of ship detection and tracking using WERA HF ocean radar with MIMO configuration

High-Frequency (HF) radars are operated in the 3–30 MHz frequency band. For oceanographic applications low transmit power HF radar systems have been developed, which use surface electromagnetic wave propagation along the salty ocean surface. This paper presents a new approach to use Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technique for compact HF ocean radar deployments and positive economic benefits without reducing overall system performance. The initial results show that such MIMO HF radar configuration can be used for both oceanographic measurements and ship tracking applications. Ship detection and tracking are tested using real WERA HF radar measurements for a MIMO configuration with collocated receive antennas. The comparison between standard and MIMO mode results is focused on azimuthal angle estimation.