Performance analysis of multi-channel order statistics detector for range-spread target

The problem of two order statistics detection schemes for the detection of a spatially distributed target in white Gaussian noise are studied. When the number of strong scattering cells is known, we first show an optimal detector, which requires many processing channels. The structure of such optimal detector is complex. Therefore, a simpler quasi-optimal detector is then introduced. The quasi-optimal detector, called the strong scattering cells' number dependent order statistics (SND-OS) detector, takes the form of an average of maximum strong scattering cells with a known number. If the number of strong scattering cells is unknown in real situation, the multi-channel order statistics (MC-OS) detector is used. In each channel, a various number of maximums scattered from target are averaged. Then, the false alarm probability analysis and thresholds sets for each channel are given, following the detection results presented by means of Monte Carlo simulation strategy based on simulated target model and three measured targets. In particular, the theoretical analysis and simulation results highlight that the MC-OS detector can efficiently detect range-spread targets in white Gaussian noise.