Radar detection techniques: Application of stochastical and fractal strategies

This thesis is concerned with the evaluation of radar detection performance specific to the following target and background considerations: (1) Stochastical description and determination of the envelope statistics pertaining to radar clutter of the coastline regions. (2) Detection of low-altitude targets by sea-borne radars operating near the coastline; and (3) Fractal characterization of the ocean surface as viewed by a satellite-based radar altimeter. The first problem refers to the elucidation of the most appropriate statistics that would describe the relevant envelope distribution of the clutter caused by the dual region of sea and land of a typical coastline environment. In the second analysis, performance of the radar in terms of false-alarm and detection probabilities is predicted. The third effort addressed provides a fractal description of the ocean surface as viewed by a satellite based radar altimeter. By characterizing the ocean bed as a fractal surface, the extent to which the sea surface data contributes errors to the mispointing/autoboresight information is ascertained.