Detection of non-Gaussian signals: a paradigm for modern statistical signal processing [and prolog]

Non-Gaussian signals arise in a wide variety of applications, including sonar, digital communications, seismology, and radio astronomy. In this tutorial overview, a hierarchical approach to signal modeling and detector design for non-Gaussian signals is described. In addition to being of interest in applications, this problem serves as a paradigm within which most of the areas of active research in statistical signal processing arise. In particular, the methodologies of nonlinear signal processing, higher order statistical analysis, signal representations, and learning algorithms, all can be juxtaposed quite naturally in this framework