Estimating parameters for a statistical model describing weak scattering

Parameter estimation for the K-distribution, a model for strong scattering, has received considerable attention and a number of estimators have been proposed which approximate the maximum likelihood solution. The equivalent models for weak scattering, although having been introduced some ten years ago, still lack any suitable estimators for the parameter values. We obtain estimators in the limit of large order parameter values for both the homodyned-K and generalized-K distributions. Error analyses are carried out on the estimators and the limit of their usefulness is discussed.