Approximations to detectors for Gaussian targets in compound Gaussian clutter using MIMO radar

Computational technology advancements have enabled the radar engineers to model and understand extended targets. One of the common statistical models of extended target is based on Gaussian distribution. In this paper, we address the problem of detection of such an extended target that has a non-Gaussian clutter plus noise background using MIMO radar. Specifically, approximations are sought for theoretically intractable detectors. Main finding of this study is that for the compound Gaussian clutter, the test statistic can be replaced with no loss of performance with an asymptotic approximator for large values of the shape parameter and by a Laplace approximator for small values of the shape parameter.