Multitarget Analysis of CC-OFDM MIMO Radar Using Coded Waveforms

Multifunction radar must operate reliably in multitarget environments, where waveform design must balance resolution, robustness, and interference suppression. Circulating-code orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing multiple-input multiple-output (CC-OFDM MIMO) is a promising approach, but most prior studies have been restricted to single-target cases. This paper evaluates the performance of three coded waveform families - Golay, Zadoff-Chu (ZC), and M-sequence - in CC-OFDM MIMO radar under multitarget conditions. A mathematical model is formulated to capture inter-target interference and thermal noise, and simulations with five targets are performed in closely spaced range-angle scenarios. Results demonstrate that Golay achieves superior sidelobe suppression, ZC provides robustness against frequency shifts with the highest SINR ceiling, and M-sequences offer acceptable statistical behavior but with greater leakage. These insights establish clear trade-offs among code families and provide practical guidelines for waveform selection in multifunction CC-OFDM MIMO radar.