Robust performance prediction modelling for compound distributions with temporal correlation

Robustly predicting target detection performance in temporally correlated clutter with a fluctuating target has proven to be a difficult problem. If the correlation is not accounted for in a radar model, the required signal to interference ratio for a given probability of detection, P_d, could be incorrect by several dB, resulting in over-estimated performance. This paper describes a robust method for calculating the P_d for K, KK and Pareto compound distributions. Results are then presented using realistic parameter models for high grazing angle sea-clutter.