Distributed detection over Gaussian multiple access channels with constant modulus signaling

A distributed detection scheme where the sensors transmit with constant modulus signals over a Gaussian multiple access channel is considered. The deflection coefficient (DC) of the proposed scheme is shown to depend on the characteristic function of the sensing noise and the error exponent for the system is derived using large deviation theory. Optimization of the DC and error exponent are considered for a variety of sensing noise distributions including impulsive ones. The proposed scheme is also favorably compared with existing amplify-and-forward and detect-and-forward schemes. Simulations corroborate the analytical results.