Robust radar detection using ensemble CFAR processing

A generic approach to constant false alarm rate processing is developed, resulting in detection algorithms robust to inhomogeneities in radar clutter. Termed as ensemble- or E-CFAR detection, it combines, for the first time, members from a family of known and possibly new CFAR processors. Implementation is simple. Owing to analytical intractability, the entire synthesis and analysis are performed using fast stochastic simulation based on the powerful methodology of adaptive importance sampling (IS) developed in recent publications. Several new practical results are given. From many possible detection algorithms, one having desirable properties is suggested. However, it remains an open problem to find the best algorithms. Extensions of fast simulation methods for some stand-alone CFAR detectors are also examined.