A method and metric for quantitatively defining low probability of detection

The lack of a low probability of detection (LPD) waveform is often cited as one of the criteria against the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) communications systems in the tactical military environment. However, there is rarely any quantitative evidence given to support this understandable qualitative assertion. We propose a method for quantitatively defining LPD that is based on well known principles of communications theory and open sources of COTS system specifications. Such a method of quantitatively defining LPD allows researchers working in unclassified environments to consider the LPD characteristics of a communications system while in the design phase, fair comparisons in LPD characteristics between competing systems, and the potential for active participation of the electronic warfare (EW) community in the up front development of future tactical military communications systems.