Exact Detection Probability for Partially Correlated Rayleigh Targets

The detection probability PD of a radar receiver which postdetection integrates N pulses of an expqnentially correlated signal from a Rayleigh target in thermal noise is determined. At the limiting correlation coefficients, p = 1 and p = 0, the analysis yields, respectively, the well known Swerling case 1 and case 2 formulas. The effect of partial (0 ¿ p ¿ 1) correlation is exhibited in a set of curves of PD versus signal-to-noise ratio, X, for various N and p. Additional curves compare the exact fluctuation loss determined from the above analysis with an approximate expression universally employed by radar system engineers.