Optimal coherent radar detection in a K-distributed clutter environment

An optimal detector in the sense of generalised likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for coherent radar detection in a compound K-distributed clutter environment is re-studied in detail. A few properties of the detector are derived showing potential of its implementation in radar systems. To the optimal detector, sea spikes (abnormally high radar returns from the sea surface) are unlikely to trigger false alarms, leading to a significant improvement in target detection. Two suboptimal detectors, aiming at saving computational cost, are proposed, and their performance is compared with the GLRT detector. The detector is assessed using true radar sea clutter data, and the problem of sea spikes causing excessive false alarms is identified and discussed.