Orthogonal matched filter detection

We consider the generic problem of detecting a transmitted signal when one of M known signals is transmitted. Instead of using a classical matched filter (MF) detector, matched to the transmitted signals, we propose using an orthogonal matched filter (OMF) detector, which is matched to a set of orthogonal signals that are closest in a least-squares sense to the transmitted signals. We show that this approach is equivalent to optimally whitening the output of the MF demodulator, and then basing the detection on the whitened output. We provide simulation results which suggest that, in many cases, the OMF detector outperforms the MF detector