Optimal Parameters and Performance Assessment for Detecting a Fluctuating Distributed-target

In high-resolution radar scenarios, the optimal detection of a fluctuating distributed-target is addressed, in a spherically invariant random vector clutter. The optimal binary integrator is derived from the generalized likelihood ratio test design procedure. The formula of the false alarm probability implies the constant false alarm rate property with respect to both the clutter power level and the covariance matrix. Moreover, the optimal detection parameter is also calculated. Finally, the detection performance is assessed by Monte Carlo simulation, which shows the effectiveness of the proposed detector. The experimental results also indicate that, as the number of sensors, the number of target equivalent scatterers or the clutter spikiness increases, the detection performance improves; while the detector performs robustly to different correlations of clutter.