Data turning--Average signal to noise ratio improvement

This paper presents a signal processing technique for achieving improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) prior to detection of a sinusoid embedded in white noise. The technique, data turning, while not as efficient as the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of all of the available signal samples, is shown to have an efficiency factor comparable with that obtained with post-detection integration (PDI), and greater than the latter when signal processor loading is taken into account. The technique is generally applicable to digital spectrum analysis. The use of the technique is illustrated here by its application to a typical radar detection problem.