RCS probability distribution function modeling of a fluctuating target

A computer technique developed to analyze the probability distribution function (PDF) of a radar cross section (RCS) database and its uses in formulating detection probabilities of a fluctuating target are discussed. This technique for modeling the RCS amplitude distribution of a complex target requires an estimate of the stationary mean, correlation function, and PDF. The chi-squared and Kolmogorov-Smirnov nonparametric test provides a method to evaluate the null hypothesis that the data follow a particular theoretical distribution constructed from the estimated parameters of the sample data. Plots of both the PDF and cumulative plot distribution function (CDF) of the data against the assumed models may provide visual evidence of a good or best fit. With a knowledge of the theoretical RCS amplitude distribution model for a complex target, the radar engineer can use classical detection statistics to calculate the probability of detecting the particular target