Statistical properties of multiple-glint targets under laser illumination

Statistical properties of the laser radar-received signal reflected from a finite number of target glints are obtained by using Monte-Carlo-type numerical simulations. Probability density functions for both direct-and coherent-detection processes are generated and shown following the theoretical prediction for an ideal diffuse surface. Additionally, the ratio of the mean signal power over its variance is calculated as a function of the aperture diameter ratio of the receiver over the transmitter for these two processes. The received signals are found to be linearly proportional to the number of contributing scatters for a far-field multiple-glint target.