Subspace signal detection in compound-Gaussian clutter

This paper investigates the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) and constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors of subspace signal in compound-Gaussian clutter. Since the statistical distribution of the test statistics is very complicate, an analytical expression for the probability of detection is usually infeasible. Employing a reasonable approximation to the distribution of the test statistics, the authors derive an approximate close-form expression for the probability of detection, which will facilitate the analysis and evaluation of detection performance. Finally, using the detection of hovering helicopters as an example, the authors verify the accuracy of the approximate close-form expression for the probability of detection, and analyze the detection performance with regards to the signal parameters.