REVIEW OF RADAR DETECTORS WITH CONSTANT FALSE ALARM RATE

Resumen

Radar detection in environments with high spatial and temporal variability is an issue of great importance. Many efforts are devoted to the development of adaptive techniques that allow robust operation for all possible scenarios. Among the most widely used techniques in this context are those that changes the detection threshold adaptively in order to maintain a constant false alarm rate (CFAR). New CFAR detectors appear frequently, so it is useful the permanent update of the state-of-art in this topic. Therefore, this article presents the theoretical framework required by CFAR techniques, as well as a literature review in this matter. Furthermore, the application of non-coherent integration to CFAR detection is included as a distinctive element. Emphasis is made on three different scenarios: homogeneous clutter, multiple interfering targets and transitions in the clutter level. This review will be useful for researchers requiring a brief view of CFAR detection.