RADAR DETECTION OF TARGETS LOCATED IN A COHERENT K-DISTRIBUTED CLUTTER BACKGROUND

The paper describes a model for a coherent K distributed clutter by considering a coherent multidimensional Gaussian probability density function where its standard deviation is not known a priori but is itself a random variable with a Gamma distribution. Subsequently, the problems of detecting an a priori known target and a Swerling zero target model embedded in a coherent K distributed clutter are considered. The corresponding detectors based on the likelihood ratio test are evaluated. A mixed numerical and simulation procedure is set up to evaluate the receiver operating characteristics of the processor. The detection probability versus the signal-to-clutter power ratio, having as parameters the probability of false alarm and the clutter skewness, is evaluated for a number of processed pulses.