Locally optimum detectors for deterministic signals in multiplicative noise

This paper addresses the problem of detecting deterministic signals in multiplicative noise. The multiplicative noise model is appropriate for modelling coherent imaging systems such as SAR and laser. Locally optimum (LO) detectors are derived for any arbitrary multiplicative noise distribution. The gamma and generalized Gaussian distributions are studied in detail. We also introduce an extension of the generalized Gaussian density to include asymmetry. The performance of the LO detectors is studied and compared with that of the linear correlation detector. The paper gives insight into the influence of the tail length of the noise distribution on the detection power