Randomizing ties in a sign radar detector

Abstract

A general formulation to consider the effects of typical randomization methods (RMs) for a digital application of Generalized Sign Test (GST) detector in Radar is introduced. A first approximation leads us to some basic restrictions to be imposed to RMs. Introducing them, when the approximation is acceptable, our formulation allows to evaluate easily the false alarm and detection probabilities (PFA and PD ) obtainable with the use of each RM in fuction of the quantizing step (q) of the video samples, and, then, to select the most appropriate among them. Besides this, by considering the values of PFA and PD with respect to continuous situations, we can determine the maximum q to obtain small enough variations due to quantization (which has parametric effects). In such a way, a maximum dynamic range and a basically nonparametric behaviour are achieved. An example illustrates the application of the theory.