Logarithmic Detection with Postdetection Filtering

An analysis is presented of the performance of a logarithmic detector or followed by a low-pass filter, under the assumption of a large ratio of IF bandwidth to postdetection bandwidth. This allows for the probability of detection and similar quantities to be computed in a straightforward manner. The mean and variance of the filter output are found by first deriving the autocorrelation function of the logarithmic detector output and then obtaining the power spectral ral density. A useful engineering approximation is made for the variance which is valid for all signal-to-noise ratios.